The following are more facts from the Indoor Air Pollution Seminar given by Joyce last October.

Our homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 times a day. New homes are built so air tight that it is impossible to get a complete change of air. We should leave our windows open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation.

In Alberta last year accidental poisoning statistics were as follows:

Between the ages of: 0 - 4 years - 11, 515 poisonings

5 - 10 years - 1,52411

19 years - 1,01920

and over 7,799

Top three culprits according to Poison Control:

Household cleaners, bleach and medications. In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is Dawn Dishwashing detergent. WHY? Because it is the #1 seller.

Tide contains lye and is the #1 polluter. It is also the #1 seller.Did you know the little shiny things in Tide Powder are fiberglass?

Did you know that "Formula 409" is considered a legal pesticide?

Deep Woods, Off and many other insect repellents have an ingredient called DEET. DEET is known to cause seizures and in some cases, even death in children and adults.

Inert (or inactive) ingredients in products are protected by trade secrets and very dangerous. In the work place Material Safety Data Sheets must accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors are considered "legal environments" while homes are not. Thus, regulations for outdoor air pollution and toxins in the workplace are much more strict than in the home.

The ideal rate of humidity is between 35% and 45%. Anything higher causes mold. When we use humidifiers or dehumidifiers with standing water we are encouraging mold growth in the standing water. The ideal temperature in the home is between 68 degrees and 72 degrees anything higher makes chemicals more active.

When we shower, the hot water combined with the chlorine in the water can cause headaches. Using aerosols can cause dizziness and headaches. Steam from our dryer vents is extremely toxic, because of the chemicals from dryer sheets and residue from laundry soap and bleach.

Chemicals used to dry clean clothing are very dangerous and can cause cancer. When you bring dry cleaning home, you should hang it outside for at least 3 days. Dry-cleaning chemicals are the same cancer causing chemicals that are found in mothballs.

There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Chemicals from carpets and plastic have been found to cause kidney and liver damage.

More products that contain Formaldehyde: Antiperspirants, Mouthwash, Toothpaste, Tupperware, Baggies, Permanent Press clothing, Floor waxes and furniture polishes, Coffee, Wax, Paper and Money.

Some symptoms caused by formaldehyde are: Allergies, cancer, immune system failings and asthma.

Products that contain Phenols: Acne medications, Baking Powder, Computers, TV sets, Mouthwash, Sugar substitutes, Wallpaper.

Some symptoms caused by phenols (which are absorbed by lungs and skin) are: Caustic burns, kidney and liver damage, hyperactivity and possibly even death.

"Lysol" is even more dangerous than we thought. Lysol contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange).

Fungicides used on fruit trees in the Okanogan, BC and in southwestern Ontario have been found to cause babies in both areas being born with no eyes or very tiny eyes.

When using chlorine, antiseptics or bleach in industrial settings you are required to wear impervious protective clothing including hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or full face shield. You are required to use them only in well ventilated areas.

When using Easy Off make sure all your skin is covered, wear protective clothing, do not breath in and don't get on your enamel, (if this product will hurt the enamel on your stove, can you imagine what it will do to us.)

Air fresheners desensitize the nerves in your nose so you cannot smell. 1970 - NTA's were banned, 1980 Lobbying Proctor & Gamble brought back the use of NTA's in our products although they are extremely cancer causing. What are they used for? ONLY to make more suds in our laundry detergents so that you think your clothes are getting cleaner.

Our immune system is very powerful, like a janitorial system giving our bodies good nutrition means our body can repair itself and be able to handle what we face in the world. Household chemicals cause all kinds of problems that you would never suspect could be related to cleaning your home and clothes such as: cardiovascular problems, panic and anxiety attacks, and bedwetting.

Eliminating the cause of the environmental illness is more effective and much less expensive than treating the symptom.

Prevention - 80% - 90% effective

Treatments - 50% - 60% effective.