Angie Cole

Hazardous waste can come in various forms, and it’s not always easy to manage them, much less regulate their disposal. However, the need for proper hazardous waste management has become more and more apparent over the past couple of years, as the imminent threat of global warming has made its presence felt more clearly. But what exactly are we dealing with when it comes to hazardous waste? What is hazardous waste? Waste that poses a threat to the environment and to human health is considered as hazardous, and they commonly exhibit either one or all of these traits: toxicity, ignitabilit

Every home that has an HVAC system needs air filters, it’s practically a given. As their name suggests, air filters filter out the air that enters and circulates around your home, leaving you and your family with cleaner air to breathe. Just like car filters, these home air filters also need to be changed out every 3 months (or more frequently if you have pets or asthmatic family members). But what happens when you don’t change them out for months on end? 1. Frozen Coils The lack of airflow to the cooling coils or the evaporator can be caused by the air filter being too congested, which

Sometimes, the home environment can cause more harm than good. It may be hard to believe, but indoor air can possibly be several times more polluted than the air that we breathe outside. This can be because of the products that we use indoors, how often we DON’T clean, or the lack of ventilation in the home. One way of ensuring that the home environment, particularly the air that we breathe in while indoors, is healthy is by installing air filters. They can be good for the indoor environment for the following reasons: 1. They clean the air by removing particles and odors. A

Asbestos is known now as a toxic substance, but up until a few decades back, it was widely used in a lot of products. This went on until the late 1980s, when countries started banning it from use. Products that contained asbestos were promptly discontinued. Yet, as years went by, the risks that exposure to this toxic substance brought about are still at large, even though it has been decades since its use was banned. But just what is asbestos, and how does it concern us and the environment? Asbestos Use Asbestos has insulating and fire-resistent qualities, which made it a po

The risk of being exposed to asbestos isn’t just real for those whose jobs focus on asbestos abatement, it’s also real for a number of other professions. In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety has reported that over the past century, workers from more than 75 different trades have been actively exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos. Though the use of this dangerous substance has been considerably limited (even banned) since 1990, there are still those today whose symptoms from past exposures only recently came to light. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, l

Mold is very helpful outdoors as it helps in breaking down fallen leaves and dead trees. However, you wouldn’t really want to have them inside your homes and office buildings, as they can be pretty harmful to human and animal health. And yes, mold can definitely grow indoors, provided the conditions are ideal. So where can you normally find mold indoors? Below are three of the most common locations where mold can usually be found. 1. Bathroom The bathroom or shower obviously has plenty of water and moisture, and it may never really go back to normal humidity levels once you actually start usi

Asbestos being very harmful to health and potentially causing fatal illnesses is already a well-established fact, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that its effects extend even to the environment. When asbestos fibers are released into the air, they can be inhaled into the lungs of both humans and animals. It’s why asbestos handling should only be done by trained professionals. Here are 3 reasons why we should not attempt to dispose of asbestos ourselves: Personal Health and Safety Unless you are an asbestos expert, or have received training on how to deal with this harmful substance,

Most people don’t change their air filters as often as they’re supposed to. It often takes months before they’re changed out, and sometimes, only after a significant amount of dust has settled on the furnace vents. However, changing your air filters on a regular basis is a necessity in order for proper indoor air filtration to work. Read on to find out more about why this is necessary. Changing them regularly avoids damage to your HVAC system. Dirt and neglect are both leading causes of HVAC systems failing. The good news is that this is completely avoidable. One way of avoiding this is by ch

Indoor air can be more polluted than the air that you breathe outside. Shocking, but true. And it isn’t just because you keep your windows open at night, thereby allowing the pollutants in outdoor air to waft into your house. Chemicals commonly found in each households, such as floor cleaners and insecticides also add to the growing list of pollutants that are making your indoor air quality bad. But while there are certainly dangers lurking in every room in the house, the good news is that there are affordable and easy solutions for most of them. 1. Increase ventilation. Ventilation shou

Not many people are aware of the dangers of indoor air pollution or even the fact that there even is such a thing. With all the attention that’s been directed to the pollution that affects everyone outdoors, this shouldn't really be surprising. Fortunately, Filter Buy, a family-owned business that specializes in hard-to-find air filters, created an infographic that has all the basics down in a simple format. Here's what we need to understand about air pollution indoors.

Asbestos was very popular between the '40s and the '80s for its resistance to fires, insulating capability, as well as its durability. Homes that were constructed after 1990 are unlikely to have any products containing asbestos, but if your home was built before that year, then it is highly likely that most products used in its construction did contain this harmful substance. While the presence of asbestos in the home does not necessarily pose a risk to health and safety, it is nonetheless important to know how to manage if it does become a problem over time. Here are some ways in which to

Most of today’s cleaning products don’t only pose a risk to the environment but also to human health. It’s the perfect time to make your own toxic-free cleaning agent from home ingredients instead of spending money on commercial cleaners loaded with harsh chemicals. Here are tips on cleaning your furniture the eco-friendly way. Wood furniture Wood is considered the universal material in making furniture. To clean it, remove dust using a clean cloth, small paint brush, or vacuum. Dusting removes particles from the surface and also gets rid of dirt which may become harder to remove when w

Summer is one of the most exciting seasons to decorate. It brings a lively energy and opportunity to play with colors and styles. So before it finally comes to an end, here are 5 last-minute opportunities to give your home a fresh makeover with less waste. 1. Organize Everyone has that space in the house that could use a little organizing. Decorating doesn’t only mean adding accessories or furniture into a room, it also means rearranging and organizing. Create an easy flow within a room by prioritizing its practical use without sacrificing beauty. For example, ensure the placement o

Some 45 million Americans have bid goodbye to the daily commute and started working from home at least once a week. While staying put and telecommuting is a great way to reduce fuel expenses, traffic time, and carbon footprint, there are still so many things that can be done to help the environment. When working in an office building, someone else generally takes charge of the environmental details. However when you work in your own home, you make the decisions. Whether you’re working from home full-time, or are just using a home office after hours, here are some adjustments to make your wo

Adding natural elements to your home can create a space that is welcoming and full of warmth. Homeowners strive to bring the beauty of the outdoors in by making use of natural elements in furniture and color scheme. Using natural elements in your home can turn it into a beautiful and functional space for day to day lives.. If you want your home to be calm and inspiring, here are some ways to bring the beauty and tranquility of nature to your home. Choose elements that suit you Nature brings you close to elements that comfort and inspire you. Whether it is the tranquility of a bonsai tre