Healthy is haute; fresh is fashionable on the Lung Association's

[Guest guest]

THE LUNG ASSOCIATION

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2005/17/c1619.html

Attention Consumer Health, Lifestyle, Homes and News Media Editors:

Healthy is haute; fresh is fashionable on the Lung Association's

www.yourhealthyhome.ca

TORONTO, Oct. 17 /CNW/ - White doesn't mean clean. The sterile

look isn't

necessarily healthy. And clutter can have a major impact on your

lung health.

Ellie Cholette of At Home Interiors and the W Network's The

Decorating

Challenge teams up with Stocks, air quality manager for The

Lung

Association to share industry secrets on how consumers can keep

their homes

" healthy and haute " this fall and winter.

" A lot of people think you need to sacrifice one for the other, "

says

Ellie Cholette, a feature designer on The Decorating Challenge. " But

we're

here to say that your home can look fabulous without compromising

its air

quality. And it doesn't need to cost a fortune. "

The majority of consumers assume our air problem is largely

outdoors.

While there has been a record-breaking number of smog days in

Ontario this

year, we actually spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors and can

make

major improvements to our indoor air quality through simple remedies

and smart

design decisions, available at www.yourhealthyhome.ca

Fresh is Fashionable

Indoor contaminants can build up and get trapped indoors because

homes

are more air-tight and energy-efficient these days.

Open your screened windows when possible and let in the fresh

air. Newer

airtight environments may need a mechanical ventilation

system. " Don't try to

mask aromas with scented candles or potpouri. Haute this fall is

fresh air, "

says Ellie. The Lung Association recommends getting to the source of

the odor

and removing it, rather than adding sprays or other fragrances to

blur any

unpleasant odors.

Au Natural

Household products - everything from hairspray to furniture

polish

contain a variety of potentially harmful chemicals. " Vinegar, baking

soda and

vegetable oil are all great non-toxic alternatives that work well on

appliances and wood finishes, " says Ellie. " Let's face it, if they

are safe to

eat, they are safe to breathe. "

As well, The Lung Association recommends low emission carpeting,

drapery,

cushions and adhesives. " Try area rugs instead of wall-to-wall

carpeting and

easy-to-wash slip covers for a chic, contemporary look, " says

Ellie. " Instead

of heavy curtains, why not try low-maintenance shutters? And there

are great

non-toxic paints I'm using these days that I would highly recommend. "

Humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners offer ideal

breeding

grounds for dangerous micro-organisms that can get blown throughout

the house.

Check these, plus refrigerator drip pans often for a build up of

contaminants.

Save Money with Mould

Kitchens and bathrooms are the two most popular rooms for

renovations,

quite often because of damage done by mould.

" Dampness isn't always obvious, " says . " Kitchens,

bathrooms and

basements are good hideouts for dampness and mould. " If rooms smell

musty or

earthy, check for condensation on windows, white powdery stains on

concrete

floors and discoloration on walls, ceiling or floors. By getting a

hold on

mould and the damage it can cause, consumers could be saving a lot

of money on

room makeovers.

The Creature Collection

Dust bunnies can multiply at the drop of a mop. Dust is a

combination of

both chemical and biological substances that can make breathing

difficult for

people with allergies, asthma or other lung diseases. " Avoid

clutter, " says

Ellie. " The greatest design ideas are the simplest. More stuff

doesn't mean

your place is cozier or more homey... it means there is more for

dust to

settle on and that impacts on how you, your family and guests are

able to

breathe. "

Pets are another creature comfort found in many homes. The Lung

Association recommends regular grooming of family pets and keeping

bedrooms

and furniture pet-free zones. In case of extreme allergies, avoid

bringing a

new pet into the family.

Shades of Nicotine Yellow

The Lung Association recommends prohibiting smoking in your

homes.

" Breathing secondhand smoke exposes you to harmful chemicals long

after

smoking ends since they are absorbed by curtains, linens, furniture

and

clothes, " says .

" Most people wouldn't dream of lighting up in someone's home

these days, "

says Ellie. " But if they do, remember your health and the investment

you've

made in your home's décor and show them the way to your patio. "

Fire Place Blues

" A fireplace can make a gorgeous feature design element to a

room, " says

Ellie, " and the good news is there are a lot of artificial

alternatives on the

market these days that look very realistic. " In traditional wood-

burning

fireplaces, the lovely scent of the wood burning is actually a sign

there may

be high levels of dangerous gases and contaminants in the air. Have

fireplaces

inspected annually by a WETT (Wood Energy Technology Training)

certified

professional. Inspect your chimneys and flues for corrosion and

blockages and

ensure a fresh air supply to avoid back-drafting.

The Lung Association's award-winning web site

www.yourhealthyhome.ca

offers great home improvement ideas that take minimal effort but

yield maximum

results. The Lung Association would like to thank its educational

partners,

Beam and Filtrete by 3M, for making this web site possible.

The Lung Association is a registered charity that provides

information

and funding for research to improve lung health. We focus on

prevention and

control of asthma, chronic lung disease, tobacco cessation and

prevention, air

quality and its effects on lung health. For further information on

lung

health, or to obtain a free copy of the 'Healthy Home Audit', a room-

by-room

guide to improving air quality throughout your home, please

call

1-888-566-5864.

Ellie Cholette and Stocks are available for interviews

Tuesday,

October 18 and Wednesday, October 19, 2005.

For further information: and to book an interview, please contact:

Petcoff, The Lung Association, (416) 864-9911 ext. 257, cell

(416) 275-6844

Ellie Cholette of The W Network's The Decorating Challenge joins

Stocks, air quality manager for The Lung Association to look

at ways in which consumers can keep their homes looking healthy and

haute this fall and winter. For simple remedies and smart design

ideas check out www.yourhealthyhome.ca