We tend to think of lighting choices as a matter of personal preference, something that’s part of the lamp-shopping checklist. But it turns out that the most important lighting decisions have nothing to do with lamps. And lighting decisions can actually... more »

Hurricane Sandy has left a soggy breeding ground for mold in its wake, and this can cause serious health problems for residents of flooded homes. As a first step, "any structural or building material that got wet has to be removed from inside the house,"... more »

If you or someone else in your house suffers from allergies, you'll want to get the house as allergen free as possible. Whether you are allergic to dust, pets, mold, pollen or all of the above, it can be hard to know where to begin. These 18 ways to combat... more »

Have you heard about the quantified-self movement? Millions of health and exercise fanatics are always looking for ways to improve their fitness levels. Meanwhile, technology and gadget fans are always looking for new ways to use new technology... more »

Personal health is sometimes directly affected by the health of your home. Potential hazards lurk in paint, fibers, electronics — you name it. No one knows this more than environmental health professor Jules Elkins, who — along with her political... more »

When we're blessed with good weather, we view the sun's warm rays as bright white. On early winter mornings, the sky is almost pink, and in the summer, warmer colors like red and orange can be seen at sunset. The spectrum of white light is made up of... more »

Air pollution, mold and moisture are all things you don't want in your home — especially in your bathroom. The quality of the air inside a home is often worse than the quality outside, and much of this is due to poor home ventilation. If... more »

With the light waning earlier each evening as I write this in early November, it's natural to be craving more downtime. After the seemingly endless shopping, working and errand running, it's a relief to come home and finally rest up — but when we slip... more »

More than a pint of moisture is injected into your home's air during each shower. If not ventilated properly, that moisture and its potential mold and mildew can compromise your home's indoor air quality and structural integrity. Fear not, though —... more »

Trends in work, leisure and technology have conspired to turn us all into sitters. We sit at work. We sit at school. We sit while at home. And we sit in the car while conveying our expanding bodies from one sitting location to another. All this... more »

Abundant natural light in a home not only saves electrical energy, but it gives you more personal energy too. In a normal building, lighting comprises 25 to 40 percent of your energy consumption (and energy bill), says an... more »

Ecofriendly cabinets aren't just for tree huggers. Anyone wanting to improve their home’s indoor air quality or reduce the toxins they and their families are exposed to should pay careful attention to the makeup of their kitchen cabinets. Here... more »

Green building choices are certainly an important part of an ecofriendly kitchen remodel, but it's just as important that a design facilitates sustainable living after the contractor has completed the project. A thoughtful kitchen design can... more »

For allergy sufferers, springtime means more than sunshine and fresh flowers — it's the onset of the inevitable hay fever season. Anyone who has allergies knows how uncomfortable this time of year can be and how important it is to have a safe place... more »