Here is part two of my posts on terms. The more that you know, the easier it is to make sense of the vast amount of information being thrown about today. Here are a few more terms that are often used, but rarely explained.
RECYCLED CONTENT: Recycled content refers to the amount of a product that has been made from recycled materials. It is often confused with recyclable content, which is the how much of the product can be recycled after you are done with it. When considering a product, it is important to consider both aspects of recycling. We all know that we should recycle whenever we can. But we also have to close the loop and make sure to buy products that use recycled content as well. No one is going to continue to make recycled plastic, if consumers don’t try and buy products that are made from that recycled material. Additionally, it makes little sense to buy a shirt made of recycled pop bottles, if we wrap it in tissue, put it in a box and put the box in a bag-all made from virgin materials. To make the most of the products that we buy, we must consider the packaging as well.
PRE-CONSUMER/POST-CONSUMER: When we do find out about recycled content, there is often a notation as to pre or post consumer. This is easily defined, but not as easily rated. Pre-consumer recycled content (sometimes called post-industrial recycled content) refers to materials that are recycled from their original manufacture, but directly from the factory or other production facility. For example, sometimes trimmed vinyl, rubber, or metal is recycled into something new. Post consumer, means the content comes from materials that were recycled by regular means and made into something new. For example, plastics that come from your recycling are recycled into lumber, fabrics or other groovy stuff. I have even seen furniture made from recycled seat belts. If the seat belts come out of old cars that are scrapped, it has a high content of post-consumer recycled content. If the seat belts are over runs or scraps from the car factory that did not make it into the car in the first place, it has a high content of pre-consumer (post industrial) content.
OFF GASSING: When new materials are made-especially vinyls and plastics-they emit odors. This is called off gassing. Ever bought a new chair, new carpet, or even a new coat and had this funky plasticy smell? That means it is off gassing. And that new car smell? Yeah that is off gassing too. Ever wonder why some strippers and paints say to use only in a well ventilated area?If it doesn’t bother you, you say so what-it goes away. That is true-it does go away, but when? Some materials can off gas by way of evaporation for years. That means you may be breathing in those chemical fumes for a long time, and they may be filled with VOCs.
VOC (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS): Volatile Organic Compounds are chemical compounds that are emitted from solids as gasses. One of the most common compounds is formaldehyde and it can be very harmful. In fact, it has been linked to increased asthma risk in children. VOCs are hard to get away from. Vinyl tile, carpets, glues, stains, resins, even plastics and fabrics can emit fairly high VOCs. Luckily, there are plenty of natural options these days. Most manufactures offer low or no VOC paints and stains. Carpets can be made from natural materials. There are plenty of sealants and glues that reduce their VOC emissions. If you have to pay more for that natural carpet or rug, ask yourself what it means to your baby’s health that will be playing on it every day. What if you can’t get away from it? Use chemicals according to directions, and when they say use in a well ventilated are make sure you do.
IAQ (INDOOR AIR QUALITY): Since we are talking about breathing in chemicals, it seems natural to mention IAQ-Indoor Air Quality. When buildings are built well, they maintain a thermal envelope. Sealed buildings keep the warm or cool air inside making them more efficient. The problem with that is that buildings are often full of humans. Humans take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Additionally, we paint and use markers. We glue stuff together and burn natural gas or other fuels. We use refrigeration. All of these things can contribute to what is in the air that we breathe. Indoor Air Quality refers to the amount of pollution inside a building. In order to have good IAQ, fresh air needs to be brought in from the outside. It may need to be filtered. Reducing the pollution inside is just as important, if not more important to our health, than reducing it outside. There are plenty of ways to measure your indoor air quality, but one important first step is to use a carbon monoxide detector. Clean your air ducts. Change your air filters on your furnace. Test for Radon.
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