SCRIPTURE: Numbers 35:35 Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites. (NIV)
REFLECTION: Developed countries tend to pollute the land through materialistic demands. One of these demands is top-notch medical care. Good medical care, though a blessing, can also be a curse. When I worked in a pathology lab, I saw how many chemicals were used and needed to be disposed of. I finally had to seek training in another field because of the amount of formaldehyde I was exposed to. I felt it was interfering with my health. Formaldehyde is used not only in the medical field, but it is used in many other routine daily products. I was surprised to learn it is used in toothpaste, for example. Construction also uses formaldehyde. Plasterboard poses a health problem in new construction because of the formaldehyde it emits. It’s been recommended people moving into new dwellings keep their windows open for at least six months to a year so as not to be affected by the formaldehyde fumes released from the plasterboard. However, not all persons moving into new dwellings can do that, since most construction is done during warmer times of the year and dwellings are moved into in the fall of the year, when cool weather arrives. An article on March 8, 1999, discussed a book on plants that improve health and clean the air. A number of the top twenty houseplants were specifically named to reduce the formaldehyde level in dwellings. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) was a top-rated plant for this purpose. Others were English ivy (Hedera helix) , Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”), peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.), Kimberly Queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata), florist’s mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium), were listed in descending order of effectiveness. Others on the list that removed all indoor toxins were Areca palm (Chrysalidorcarpus lutescens), Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis, “Janet Craig”), ficus alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”), corn plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”), golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), gergera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), red emerald philodendron (Philodendron erubescens), and Syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum). The need for this book, “How to Grow Fresh Air---50 Houseplants that Purify Your Home or Office,” (1997, Penguin paperback, $15.95) is symbolic of how mankind has defiled and polluted the land. In the process of improving his life. God gave mankind charge of the earth. Perhaps we should ask how we can improve our lives doing the least harm to our environment. PRAYER: Lord, if we must improve our lives at the expense of your beautiful world, help us find ways to live so as not to defile your creation. Amen. ---written by Carolyn |
