By Gary L. Walker
 
      When does common sense start to kick in? Lately I make observations of the world and say to myself, “I have to write about this one.” For instance, the other day I was driving to work and I saw this lady in a minivan with a breast cancer awareness ribbon on the tailgate. As soon as I saw the big pink ribbon, I saw a large cloud of smoke rise out of her window and stream past the ribbon on her bumper. As I drove by, I could see that she had a cigarette dangling from her lips, obviously unaware of the ribbons significance, as she puffed away enjoying what looked like the first butt of the day.

      What is it that people don’t understand about cause and effect? How can we change our habits? Numerous studies have shown that smoking leads to cancer, so where is the disconnect?

      We often take actions that are sometimes so obvious it is against good old common sense, but we don’t always see it as obviously as that lady in the minivan. Yet another example I’ve come across is when we use toxic chemicals to clean our businesses or homes, but can’t understand why we cough and choke while we are using them. What we can’t understand is that it is our lungs’ way of telling us those chemicals are bad for us and we shouldn’t be breathing these fumes. I want everyone to understand that we need to change our habits, because even minor changes can make a big difference in our lives.

Indoor Pollutants
      According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, and 65 percent in our homes. Just give that a minute to sink in. We are either at work, in our car, or at home, and we just don’t get enough fresh air.  The EPA tells us that our indoor air quality is 10 times more toxic than any outdoor air. So take the rest of this magazine and go outside today and read; getting some fresh outdoor air would be a great start.

     We all need to examine how we fill the environment in which we breathe with toxins, and look for ways we can improve our air quality; not only in our businesses, but also in our homes as well. One thing that will certainly help with the air quality in Kansas City this summer will be the price of fuel, because people are now driving less which will, in turn, help with outdoor air quality. But what are some ways that we can change our habits to improve indoor air? Try some of these proven green tips:

• Change air filters in heating and cooling systems at the manufacturer’s recommended schedule; and, if possible, change to a green alternative.
• Switch to all natural cleaning products, including laundry soaps. Buy products that have as little fragrance as possible. Smell has nothing to do with clean, it is just masking the odor. And it’s the source of the odor that needs to be dealt with. Here is some irony: some cleaning products can actually make the air dirtier.
• Use a Hepa-filter vacuum, which cleans the air at the same time it cleans your carpets. The vacuums may cost more, but they last longer, use less energy and are designed to be more efficient in trapping dust and dander that my cause breathing problems.
• Use microfiber for dusting, not cotton. Cotton towels leave particles behind. The whole point of dusting is to remove the dust and particles that become airborne and agitate sinuses and lungs, causing breathing issues. Microfiber also lasts much longer and, if cared for properly, can be washed 200 to 300 times. Cotton wears out and requires hot water/air to launder, whereas microfiber needs cold water and can be air-dried. Less energy, less waste in the water and less trash in the landfill: Just one change and you are moving toward green habits.

  
Get Out, and Be Healthy
      We all need to get outside more, so to encourage this I want to challenge everyone to train for a 5k run/walk with the American Lung Association on Oct. 4 at the World War I Liberty Memorial. Go to www.breathehealthy.org for more details on how you can get involved and start to make a difference. 

      In my next column, I will write about “green washing” and what we all need to watch out for when it comes to trusting companies about how green they really are. 

      Over the next few months, I will be writing a series of articles about many different topics, including the green cleaning process, green washing and green vs. natural. Check back in November for the dangers of green washing.

      Together we can make a difference. Together we can effect change.
 
Gary Walker, the King of Green Cleaning, is owner of Magic Touch Cleaning Inc. You can reach him at (816) 554-3366 or .