Public Health & Safety

Microwaving food in a plastic bowl can be a quick and easy way to reheat leftovers or cook simple meals. However, you should take special care in how the food is heated, especially meats. By...

Asbestos is a mineral that was used for insulation in many buildings across the United States. However, asbestos releases dangerous fibers that can sicken or kill those who inhale them. Taking a...

Asbestos pipe insulation removal must be done with extreme care. Asbestos was used in residential, commercial and industrial construction from the 1930s through the middle of the 1970s. Damaged...

Flourescent lighting, such as CFLs, save energy. However, broken flourescent tubes and other CFLs should be cleaned up with great caution to avoid mercury contamination. To protect the...

Storing water in reusable plastic containers is an easy way to always have a drink on the go. Whether you are taking water to the gym, to your desk at work or just keeping it handy in your purse,...

A healthy person's body temperature is usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can vary by one or two degrees. Fevers can be caused by infection, illness or injury. A thermometer can...

Many of our favorite products and containers are made from plastic. However, when we throw these plastics away they can often build up and cause some harmful effects. Most negative effects...

Asbestos is a mineral that was once used to insulate buildings but which has since been abandoned due to the health risks it poses when released into the air. Asbestos was formerly used in wall...

Hazardous waste has immediate or long-term risks to humans, animals, plants or the environment. Because of this, it is unsafe to dispose it with general waste and needs specific disposal methods....

Plastic grocery bags are a common sight in contemporary society. While they are extremely functional and easy to use, they have a number of negative effects on the environment and wallets.

Every one of us has an impact on the environment, whether it is our transportation, water consumption, or the way we use energy. This article will show you ways you can be more environmentally...

Plastic bags are everywhere. While there has been a resurgence of companies providing reusable bags for their customers, plastic bags are still used for almost everything. The properties of...

Plastic to store bottled liquid for around 70 years. Recently, the American public has questioned the safety of water bottles, especially for reuse. Some studies suggest that dangerous chemicals...

Refilling plastic water bottles of the disposable kind may seem environmentally sound, but this practice can actually increase your exposure to the toxic chemical bisphenol A, found in many...

If you are what you eat, then eating chemicals or things that do not belong in your body can make you sick. Many things that burn which should not be ingested release poisonous carbon dioxide and...

Plastic bottles exist to help transport, store and serve beverages. Plastic bottles are convenient, recyclable and reusable. Americans buy approximately 28 billion plastic water bottles every...

The widespread use of plastic bottles has caused Americans to look deeper into the possible health impact of plastic storage. Some studies show that certain chemicals used in plastic bottles could...

Hiking and camping in the wilderness is a great way to enjoy a vacation in the outdoors, and many people pack everything from sleeping bags to mosquito spray as they head out to enjoy a weekend or...

Many people reuse their plastic water bottle without considering the possible health effects. Even with what appears to be proper cleaning, reusing a water bottle has its disadvantages.

Plastic water bottles have their benefits. They are very convenient and allow you to transport water safely from place to place. However, there are disadvantages to using these containers....

Play mats can be made from a few materials, but some are more common than others. There are also a few materials that should be avoided when purchasing a play mat. If a mat is for an infant, there...

Use freezer bags, garbage bags, plastic bags from the grocery store to save money, and save extra space at the land fills.

Styrofoam is in everything, whether it's fishing equipment, take-out boxes, coffee mugs, packing materials and more, Styrofoam, however, is not safe. It poses serious dangers to both humans and...

It might seem like a good idea to reuse old plastic water bottles and refill with fresh water for later. But some plastic bottles should not be reused. There might be health concerns when it comes...

Asbestos is a naturally fireproof material that is made from fibrous crystals. For many years asbestos was used in construction and industrial projects, until it was discovered that exposure to...

Water bottles are everywhere now, and many view them as a must-have accessory for a healthy lifestyle. But several types of plastic water bottles are on the market, and it's worth understanding...

Water distillation is the process of heating a water source, condensing and collecting the pure water vapor. Distillation draws pure, drinkable water from any water source, whether it is...

According to plastics manufacturers and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several concerns regarding the safety of plastic bottles or food containers are unfounded.

Plastic containers have long been used to hold and store beverages, from sodas to water and even baby formula. But recent revelations are making consumers think twice before purchasing certain...

Consumers are in increasingly turning to reusable water bottles and thermoses, finding the use of filtered tap water both environmentally and economically favorable. A study by the Environmental...

Officially, all of the plastic water bottles on the U.S. market today are safe for use, but some international public agencies have a different opinion.

Although plastic and paper bags are cheap and easy to produce, they are often discarded without being recycled and can wreak havoc on the environment. Because plastic bags are not biodegradable,...

Plastic bags are routine in shopping locations. They are small and lightweight, and they can hold up to 17 lbs. each. While most people reuse them in some fashion, tossing them out can have...

Most of us know we should be drinking a lot of water. However, since faucets (or pristine mountain streams) aren't always in easy reach, we usually carry our water around in some kind of bottle....

Plastic syringes are a boon for people who must take injectable medications. But how do you use them properly? Better yet, how do you keep your loved ones or children protected from needle pricks,...

Many health authorities and organizations are asking if certain plastic water bottles are safe to use and re-use. This rising angst that's emerged in recent years stems from a plastic material...

If you look inside your home right now, you'd find plastic bottles in your kitchen cabinet and refrigerator, on the kitchen counter and in your medicine cabinet. But do you know what you really...

Plastic food containers are lightweight, durable, often transparent and cheap. Although the Food and Drug Administration assures us that it carefully approves only materials that are "safe for...

Paper or plastic? The choice is not just about grocery bags, but about all sorts of containers, from juice boxes to laundry detergent. There are drawbacks to both kinds, and consumers often choose...

Plastic containers are becoming more popular as glass ones are used less and less. Deciding which ones are better for the environment is not a simple issue, because a lot of factors have to be...

CCA treated wood is a common product used to build decks, patios and small outbuildings. The mixture of copper, chromium and arsenic that is injected into the wood makes it resistant to rot, mold,...

While the Food and Drug Administration has approved plastic bottles for consumer use, there are still some lingering questions about plastic bottles versus glass bottles and which are the safest...

It's important to stay hydrated, and a good way to do this is to carry water with you wherever you go. These days, it's not enough to grab just any old bottle--especially because some types of...

Grocery shoppers are faced with the question, "Paper or plastic?" It would be nice if the case was clear so that we didn't have to make the decision at all. Unfortunately, it's not so simple. ...

Some plastics are rarely or never recycled, even when a curbside recycling program accepts them. These plastics are not only a threat to the environment, but they could be a serious threat to your...

Recycling plastics benefits the health of the environment, but choosing some plastics over others can benefit the health of consumers as well. The number printed on the bottom of every plastic...

Plastic is everywhere, and it takes 10 to 100 years to break down, depending on its quality. As people become more aware of the impact of plastic on our environment, plastic recycling programs are...

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics the effects of hormones in the body. Even handling the containers may allow these chemicals to enter your body. BPA is...