“Green”: eco-friendly or human-friendly?

Many products are advertised as green, causing many of us to think, “it’s good for the earth AND for me.” But some of the most energy-efficient materials are also the most toxic to people. 2 examples:

Rigid polystyrene foam insulation boards are incredibly good at at keeping a house insulated, but both the XPS and EPS types include halogenated flame retardants and often insecticides, which are both endocrine disruptors. Styrene itself is linked to cognitive impairment and heart attack. These chemicals are worst during installation and disposal, but in a tight house with low airflow, any off gassing has a hard time escaping. Better options that are good for people and planet are cork, wool, cellulose from recycled newspaper, or even formaldehyde-free mineral wool. 

Upcycled polyester — AKA fabric made from recycled plastic bottles — shows up a lot as a couch upholstery option, or a comforter filling. It does remove plastic from the ocean, but snuggling up with plastic, especially recycled plastic of unknown origin, poses health risks including BPA and heavy metal exposure. Recycled plastic products may best be used in places we don’t come in close physical contact with.

It’s wonderful when the eco- and human- friendly overlap, but it’s important to know they’re often two separate things. I think that if you’re helping to save the world, then you deserve to be healthy enough to enjoy it.