Thursday, July 11, 2013

My switch to a standing desk

Sort of off-topic, but I decided to turn my office desk into a standing desk today! I must say, the first person in the office must have been brave to be the only person standing in a sea of sitting people. By now there are three of us!

standing desk
You just put your monitors, keyboard and mouse on top of two large plastic boxes or crates.
And here is an infographic I love, which illustrates how important it is to not sit all day. (Source: link)
Sitting is Killing You

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Air mattresses emit harmful fumes

I'm renting a room away from home for two month, and trying to stay minimalist, I opted for a luxurious queen-sized air mattress instead of a bed. However, I come home to my room smelling of the air mattress each day, despite an open screen door, and I'm sure those odors can't be good for me.

these day they are almost universally made with PVC, which outgasses harmful fumes long after that telltale “new mattress smell” has dissipated and can contain lead. - See more at: http://thegreenmomreview.com/2010/12/17/non-toxic-air-mattresses/#sthash.Xlp8CdTA.dpuf
These days, air mattresses are almost universally made with PVC, which outgasses harmful phthalate fumes long after that tell-tale “new mattress smell” has dissipated and can contain lead. PVC is considered to be one of the most dangerous plastics still manufactured, and is made using an astonishing number of chemical compounds that have been proven to be dangerous, including dioxins, phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium, and organotins.

I'm thinking of either wrapping the whole mattress with an air-tight bag (any ideas for something this big?), or sleeping in my sleeping bag on my balcony, instead. I'll let you know how that goes!
these day they are almost universally made with PVC, which outgasses harmful fumes long after that telltale “new mattress smell” has dissipated and can contain lead. - See more at: http://thegreenmomreview.com/2010/12/17/non-toxic-air-mattresses/#sthash.Xlp8CdTA.dpuf
these day they are almost universally made with PVC, which outgasses harmful fumes long after that telltale “new mattress smell” has dissipated and can contain lead. - See more at: http://thegreenmomreview.com/2010/12/17/non-toxic-air-mattresses/#sthash.Xlp8CdTA.dpuf