Did you know that indoor air quality can be 10 times worse than outside? This reality calls for a reassessment of our home product choices.
I’m buying a new carpet for our home. I was amazed by the many healthy alternatives to traditional carpets. I’m grateful to see how much carpet manufacturers have improved their products to offer non-toxic alternatives. What’s surprising is that they made these changes without the guidance of government policies and regulations.
I realized that my personal choices could impact industry standards and public health.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, from November 10 to 12, will be a critical moment. World leaders must demonstrate their genuine commitment to protecting the planet and human health.
While global leaders prepare to gather to address climate change, concerning shifts in U.S. policy threaten the progress we’ve made. Recent policy changes have raised concerns among researchers and health advocates. The recent closure of the EPA office that studies household chemicals is more than just a bureaucratic change—it poses a risk to public health.
As regulations wane, it becomes even more critical for consumers to make informed choices about the products they bring into their homes.
For example, researchers have discovered that formaldehyde in stain-resistant carpets is associated with an increased risk of cancer and organ damage. It’s one of the many hidden toxins that seep into the air from everyday household items, such as furniture, flooring, and paints. Human health is at risk every day.
Common Indoor Toxins and Their Sources
Various indoor items—ranging from composite wood flooring to oil-based paints—release hazardous substances. These pollutants can harm health through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin.
Unfortunately, many companies blend natural materials with harmful compounds, compromising human health. This processing often occurs with indoor furnishings, such as wood and synthetic fabrics. Manufacturers add chemicals to indoor products to enhance their appearance and function.
For instance, wood manufacturers transform raw trees into products like lumber, plywood, and particleboard. This processing often mixes sawdust with toxic adhesives and resins, which can compromise indoor air quality.
In household products, chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, found in adhesives and resins, release toxins into the air. These toxins can cause significant health issues, including cancer. Contaminated indoor air can damage the respiratory system and the heart and may even cause cancer.
Artificial synthetic materials in drapes and upholstery can also be toxic and hazardous. Many of these materials do not biodegrade. Instead, they build up to dangerous levels in the environment.
Given the alarming presence of toxins in our homes, it is imperative to explore natural alternatives that can mitigate these risks. As information emerges, people must stay informed, even though the EPA has stopped its assessments. By doing so, people can identify potential hazards in their homes and workplaces, thereby enhancing their safety.
Natural Alternatives
As awareness of these risks grows, attention is turning to safer alternatives. Non-toxic options include untreated wood furniture, bamboo walls, stone tiles, and cork flooring. These options add natural beauty to indoor spaces. They create a warm atmosphere and promote a healthy indoor experience.
Home furnishings can play a significant role in promoting personal health and well-being. Choose natural alternatives that remove harmful pollutants from indoor air. People must support a healthier planet for future generations.
Bamboo
Researchers are using bio-based wood composites. One example is bamboo particleboard. Manufacturers are using it for indoor furniture and décor. Bamboo’s rapid growth makes it an eco-friendly choice, thereby reducing pressure on deforestation. Its resistance to heat and humidity makes it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. It is also used for countertops, flooring, and walls.
Stones
Natural stone tiles can replace harmful composite wood flooring. Stone also provides aesthetic variety and durability. Natural stones, such as granite, slate, or sandstone, bring the outdoors inside and are available in a variety of colors and sizes.
Jute, Hemp, Cotton, and Wool
Jute rugs made from natural fibers can serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic carpets. Hemp or organic cotton canvas can replace synthetic fabrics. Natural, untreated wool carpets are a safer alternative to synthetic carpets.
Green Living Paint
Water-based paint is a safer alternative to oil-based, toxic paints. Researchers have created a new product called “Green Living Paint.” This innovative paint contains live bacteria that form a biocoating. This biocoating produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide (CO₂). This new living paint improves air quality and creates healthier indoor spaces.
Plants
Besides selecting natural materials, adding plants can significantly improve indoor environments. Plants remove harmful compounds such as VOCs from synthetic materials. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are toxic chemicals that can evaporate into the air, creating indoor pollution. Indoor plants boost health, much like rainforests do in the natural world.
In 2024, Indian researchers called plants the “lungs of the Earth.” They produce oxygen, add moisture, and filter toxins. Plants such as spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants are effective at filtering indoor air. They effectively remove pollutants, such as formaldehyde and benzene, from the air.
The Amazon Spheres in Seattle, Washington, serve as a workspace and conservatory for Amazon employees. This futuristic design brings trees and plants indoors. It creates a vibrant and relaxing environment within a glass dome.
Research suggests that aromatic plants, such as the Vicks Plant, can lower heart rates and reduce tension. Keeping these plants indoors might be healthier than using essential oils. The extraction process can ruin bioactive substances. The results suggest that the Vicks plant may lead to improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health over time.
Impact of Natural Materials
Besides health concerns, it's also critical to consider the environmental impact of materials.
Sustainable natural materials often cost more than traditional ones; however, demand is increasing. This interest has caught the attention of the marketing industry. As natural furnishings and décor become more prevalent, prices are likely to fall.
These lower costs will make sustainable materials more affordable for everyone—a shift toward sustainability benefits both health and the environment.
Practical Solutions
Many households contain furnishings with harmful chemicals, but you can easily make healthier choices. Consider replacing harmful items with natural alternatives. For example:
- Swap your synthetic rug for a wool one to enhance both comfort and air quality.
- Add a peace lily to your dining room table to combat indoor toxins.
- Put an orchid in your bedroom to clean the air.
- A jute welcome mat at your front door is another excellent, sustainable choice.
As individuals, we can take steps to reduce indoor pollution while engineers work on finding new solutions. When purchasing furniture, carpets, or décor, choose natural, chemical-free options. Start today by replacing one synthetic item in your home with a natural alternative.
Share your journey toward a healthier home with friends and family to inspire a broader movement towards sustainability and healthy living. Together, we can create a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.
Carole Rollins holds a Ph.D. in environmental science and has taught at the University of California, Berkeley. She has received the White House Millennium Green Award and the National Endowment for the Arts Public Education Award for her work.
What breaks the cycle: a practical bargain for longer, better lives
