What it means to be "GREEN"

Since completing the National associations of Realtors GREEN Designation in 2010, I’ve received a steady stream of articles from friends and associates about anything to do with GREEN. My personal favorites have to do with indoor air quality. It’s not the first thing you might think of when you think GREEN.

We have been conditioned from a young age to believe a clean house smells like Clorox and Windex. It’s only recently that we’ve begun to read labels to discover what exactly I’m breathing in from all these chemical cleaners and what the possible side effects might be.

Public awareness is growing regarding the toxic emissions in an average home. In my home we are experimenting with eco friendly cleaners. Some are better than others but we are not quite ready to toss the Windex just yet. Besides products you bring in to the home, there are toxic emissions that are already there. Are you aware that most of the products in an average kitchen are made with materials that contain formaldehyde including, Formica, particle board and plywood? Most carpeting releases over 31 different chemicals into the home, including formaldehyde. Until recently many people believed that indoor air quality dangers referred only to mold & musty air. Is it any wonder so many people have allergies and headaches at the very least. One study I read about new carpeting mentioned that since there were so many off gasses in carpet, the EPA could not specifically say if carpet itself was the cause of any specific disease or ailment. That makes me feel much better. One thing the study did note was that carpet manufacturers must now label carpeting and list the chemical ingredients.

Many people suffer from illnesses that can be linked to the indoor air quality of their workplace or home. If you are concerned about the air quality in your home or workplace you can have the air tested.

As a result of my GREEN designation and GREEN awareness, I have become a chronic label reader, and for our own good health I hope it continues to catch on.

Contact me for more information.

Joe Baratta, Broker, Green, SFR, ITI