Resources for the Washington DC area

Book Review - Nontoxic, Natural & Earthwise by Debra Lynn Dadd

This is a very thorough book covering everything conceivable in your home (and what shouldn't be in your home) to help make you more comfortable and healthier. It is written for the average person, but goes so far as to be a guide book for someone with extreme chemical sensitivities. While you may not have extreme allergic reaction to some chemicals like certain people, it's good to know about the sources of these chemicals. Just because you don't have an obvious allergic reaction to a new carpet or piece of furniture doesn't mean it's not compromising your immune system.

The book is a treasure trove of information. For instance, did you ever wonder what plants remove toxins from the air? Tips like this (bamboo palm, philodendrons, spider plants, scheffleras are very effective) can be very time consuming to track down on your own, but there here in the book. And the book is well organized so it's easy to look up a specific question like that. Recommendations on home water quality (including the use of products like a distiller and whole house or shower filters) save you a lot of confusing research to figure out the best way to go.

The book includes over 30 pages of mail order suppliers to help you track products down.

Note: this book is now out of print. You can get her more recent book Home Safe Home: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Harmful Household Products in the Home.
 

about the author:

Debra Lynn Dadd has been called "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times.

Be sure to check out her site, as it's got an very comprehensive list of products that she's checked out to help you make your home a safer place to be.

Debra's List