Moving into new apartment - how to limit toxic exposures?

[bluedaisy]

We live and work on the university campus where my husband went to grad school (i am a residence director so we have an apartment in an undergraduate dorm building). They are renovating one of the buildings and we will be moving into a new apartment in dec or jan.

I am concerned about the toxic chemicals we might be exposed to as a result of living in a new building. My dd will be just over 2 years old and there is a good chance I will be newly pregnant when we move or soon after we move (we are thinking of starting to ttc in the next few months)

What things would you be most concerned about? Our school is very small and environmentally aware and my boss might allow us to make some changes especially if we offer to pay the difference.

For example, I am planning to ask them to use no VOC paint for our apartment, and offer to pay the difference from the regular paint. It will be too cold in dec and jan to keep the windows open and i don't want us breathing in those fumes.

What would you be most concerned about? Any ideas how we can minimize our exposure?

Thanks!

[JamSamMom]

Plants are the best way to absorb toxic chemicals in a new house. You can do a quick internet search for common indoor plants in your area that absorb most of the toxic indoor chemicals.

[yukookoo]

carpets are really toxic, so if you can get them to do hardwood or even laminant instead, bamboo or Anything but carpet...

Also check out afm products safecoat or safe seal etc will help with formaldehyde and off gassing of woods and other materials...


We got an austin air air purifier which is a bit pricey but really worth it for me.

We also did t he houseplants thing but they mostly died... either from em not having the energy to water them (most of the ones that are good at cleaning air i think are the hangy kind that you need to put in the sink to water and let drain, i didnt have the energy for it and I think there may have been so much toxic stuff int eh air it killed them? Also you need many of them..

[talia rose]

all good advice. i 2nd the austin air purifier. they make a model called "plus" that specifically takes out gasses from new building materials (as well as dust, mold, smoke, dander, ect....) running it in the bedrooms at night will making a big difference...