Healthier Cleaning Products From the Editors of Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I want to use cleaning products that are healthier for
OCT. 22 • FANTASTIC SAM'S 3RD ANNUAL SAVE THE TA TA'S POKER RUN Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3503 North Main St., Hope Mills, N.C. First rider $15, passengers $10. Proceeds benefit the Karen Chandler Foundation. Contact angelofjustice06@yahoo.com for more info.
OCT. 29 • ALL HARLEY'S EVE COSTUME CONTEST at Cape Fear Harley-Davidson. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Costume contest from 2 - 4 p.m. $25 gift cards will be awarded for sexiest costume, scariest costume, best couples costume and best overall costume. Judging will be anonymous and contestants will have to register between 2 - 3:30 p.m. Find out more at http://www.capefearhd.com.
OCT. 29 • HALLOWEEN BASH at Legends Pub. 867-2364.
NOV. 5 • OYSTER ROAST AND POKER RUN at Legends Pub. 867-2364.
NOV. 5 • ALZHEIMERS AWARENESS RIDE Registration begins at 10 a.m., kickstands up at 10:30 a.m. Stops include Bethesda Health Care in Eastover, Cedar Creek Assisted Living in Cedar Creek and Haymount Rehab & Nursing Center in Fayetteville. Free food and music upon return to CFHD. $25/ rider & $15/ passenger includes t-shirt. ALL PROCEEDS to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. www.capefearhd.com.
DECEMBER 3 • WINGMEN NC TOY RUN at Cape Fear Harley Davidson. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or cash to ride. Find out more at www.capefearhd.com
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse group of patriots from every state that come together to honor fallen soldiers at funeral services across the country. Visit www.patriotguard.org for more info.
the environment, but I worry that baking soda and the like won't really get my tub and toilet germ-free. Should I continue using bleach products in the bathroom?
— Margaret Pierce, Columbia, MO
When it comes to household cleaning prod- ucts, most mainstream brands make use of chlo- rine bleach, ammonia or any number of other chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environ- ment and human health. Ammonia is a volatile
organic compound that can irritate the respira- tory system and mucous membranes if inhaled, and can cause chemical burns if spilled on the skin. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which can cause eczema and other skin ailments as well as breathing difficulties if inhaled. And when it reacts with other ele- ments in the environment, toxic "organochlorines" can form, damaging the ozone layer and causing health issues such as immune suppression, repro- ductive difficulties and even cancer. Fortunately, growing public concern about the health effects of toxic ex-
Credit: Earth Friendly Products If you're interested in cleaning greener, there are many sources of natural cleaning recipes online.
HALLOWEEN BASH
October 29th
For more information call LEGENDS at
4624 BRAGG BLVD. CALLING ALL LOCAL BANDS
Fayetteville wants to know you! So here's your opportunity.
• E-mail Stephanie@upandcomingweekly. com for our Q&A.
• Fill it out and e-mail it back to us. • Send a recent, high-resolution photo of your band.
• Look for your article in an upcoming issue. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
posure have led to an "explosion of environmentally friendlier and non-toxic products," says the health information website, WebMD. "There are many products in this category — from laundry detergents and fabric softeners to multi-surface and floor cleaners, to tile and bathroom cleaners — that are … safer for people and the planet." WebMD warns that while many are indeed safer, others are "green- washed," meaning they are "marketed as natural while still including suspect chemicals." How does one know? "Get in the simple practice of looking at product labels to see if the cleaning manufacturer is clearly disclosing all in- gredients," reports WebMD. "If it is not … it could mean the manufacturer is trying to hide a particular suspect ingredient." Also, just because a product has an eco-certification printed on its label doesn't necessarily mean it should be trusted. To make sure, check the Eco- Labels section of Consumer Reports' Greener Choices website, which gives the low-down on what labels really mean and whether they are backed up by government regulations. Another good resource is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Household Products Database, which provides ingredient lists for thousands of products on U.S. store shelves. If you want to play it safe and natural when cleaning your home,
WebMD suggests using white distilled vinegar — it kills mold and mildew, eliminates soap scum and sanitizes, all in one fell swoop—to clean windows, tile, cutting boards and countertops. Another effective yet gentle natural cleaner for countertops and bathtubs is baking soda, especially when mixed with a few drops of mild soap. Borax can be called in for tougher stains. If you're interested in cleaning greener, there are many sources of natural cleaning recipes online. Or check out the cleaning products aisle at your local natural food store, where you will find a wide range of cleaning for- mulations from the likes of Seventh Generation, Ecover, Green Works and Earth Friendly Products, among many others. CONTACTS: WebMD, www.webmd.com; Greener Choices, www.
greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/eco-home.cfm?redirect=1; Household Products Database, hpd.nlm.nih.gov. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and
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OCTOBER 19-25, 2011 UCW 19
$100 for Best Costume!
