Green living encompasses a full spectrum, from transportation to solar energy to green building and more. Good health is also a byproduct of a genuinely green lifestyle. One goal of green building is to create healthy indoor environments where people can thrive.

When we think of air pollution, usually the first images that come to mind are smokestacks, tailpipes or the brown haze that hangs over our cities. These are all important problems to solve and we can all be a part of the solution. But there is another form of air pollution that has not received much attention and it is right in our own homes.

According to "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality" published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, "In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors."

There are many sources of indoor air pollutants. Keeping a clean, well-ventilated home and using common sense can help control many of the more obvious sources such as secondhand smoke, dust, household chemicals, dust mites, etc. But what other things in our home might be contributing to poor air quality?

There are several common building materials that are known to "off-gas" toxic substances. These include adhesives, cabinetry, carpeting and paint. As an example, let's take a look at a very common chemical found in many home products -- formaldehyde.

This substance can be found in pressed wood products, such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and furniture made with pressed wood products. It is also found in environmental tobacco smoke, insulation, durable press drapes, other textiles and glues.

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that is very toxic. Negative health effects can include eye, nose and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions; nausea; difficulty in breathing; asthma attacks; and cancer. Some of these symptoms can appear at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). Older homes usually have formaldehyde levels below this amount, but in homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be greater than .3 parts per million.

This information is alarming, but there are steps we can take to minimize our exposure to formaldehyde and other similar chemicals. Here are some suggestions:

* Educate yourself and others about the importance of good indoor air quality.

* If buying a new home, look for one built to green building standards.

* Request cabinets, carpeting, paints and adhesives that are less toxic. There are alternatives, but they will not become widespread until enough customers ask for them.

* If you suspect your home may have elevated levels of indoor pollution (often indicated by that "new home" smell), increase the ventilation in the home (electric fans and open windows) for as long as practical to help lower your exposure levels.

* Painting the interior with a good quality, zero VOC paint can actually seal the old paint and help improve IAQ.

When we become ill, we often never know what caused the problem. By promoting green building and the responsible use of materials, we can help reduce many common ailments along with the mystery surrounding their cause. Healthy indoor environments are a vital and important part of green living.

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, specializing in renewable energy, green building, alternative transportation and lifestyle choices for both residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. Steve can be reached via e-mail at steve@greendream.biz.