What do you believe: Ignorance is bliss OR knowledge is power?
In 2007, this is the question that popped into my mind as I sat in our grad student apartment on the University of California, Irvine, campus, heavily pregnant with our second son. We had moved into an older apartment and were forced with the decision to sign a liability waiver for asbestos & lead presence in the unit OR become homeless, effective immediately.
As I mulled over the studies & research online, it seemed that every link I clicked on led to another issue, another question, another toxin I needed to worry about. What started out as a quest for knowledge on building material toxins from years past, became a never-ending web of information that was overwhelming and frightening. But the answer to my question had become clear, knowledge is POWER!
Being an independent thinker, I didn’t want to just collect information from others at face value…no, I needed to investigate it by reading up on actual studies, research, and expert opinions. Luckily, through the University, I gained access to member-only journals that most Americans would not be able to readily access. Through heavy studying and research on ingredients, I was able to figure out what safer choices were available!
I began with food additives, which basically cleared our kitchen pantry and cupboards. I moved onto our bath & body products, there went all my makeup, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, sunscreen, deodorant, actually everything except one little tube of lip balm. Lastly, I replaced all of our household cleaners, candles, detergents, plastics, etc. Bit by bit, step by step, I managed to switch out all of our toxics by buying safer choices each time I shopped.
When we moved cross country last year, we were given the opportunity to buy our first house. Once again, my research bug had bitten me and I looked into everything from EMF to VOC to PBDE. Yes, the realtor thought I was insane walking through every house measuring the EMF with my Gaussmeter, but why take chances with any type of pollution? Better safe than sorry has become my mantra.
The difficulty in finding safer personal products laid within the sorting phase of finding which ones were okay to use AND actually worked. When trying to find eco-friendly furnishings, well…let’s just say that the difficulty was in locating them altogether! People are starting to become aware of personal products and foods, but the boat is still out apparently on demanding non-toxic homes. Luckily, I was able to find soy foam sofas, made of recycled fabrics, on sustainably harvest hardwood frames…but it took a lot of time and effort!
Through my interactions, I’ve come to realize that just facing this toxic reality is too overwhelming for most people. Most just can’t understand how it’s possible to live green and happy without always worrying. It is for this exact reason why I started a green review blog & facebook page, ecoSAFE; to easily help people find safer, effective, and affordable products that aren’t going to hurt anyone or the planet.
If you are reading this story, then the seed has already been planted in your heart. This plant of knowledge will grow and bloom, as you help others by informing them of what you have discovered. If there is one thing I ask you to keep on the front burner in your mind, it is this…
Knowledge is contagious. Pass it on!
Amber Harris
Madison, Wisconsin
