When you see green cleaning in action, it looks less like a bunch of buzz words and more like an effective way to clean. Instead of using toxic chemicals that leave behind harmful residues, green cleaning uses natural ingredients and methods that are safer for you, the environment, and your home or office space. It also helps to reduce waste by avoiding plastic packaging and recycling where possible. By making a few simple swaps, you can help reduce your household waste and improve indoor air quality.

For example, replace traditional mops and cloths with microfiber alternatives that require less water and cleaning chemicals. Skip single-use plastic jugs and choose concentrated products that simply require “add water” instructions, cutting down on packaging and shipping waste. Alternatively, you can make your own cleaners with items from your pantry.

Visual Guides to Natural Home Cleaning Routines

Another benefit of green cleaning is that it helps prevent health issues that can result from constant exposure to harsh chemicals. This can include asthma, dermatitis, allergies, and even long-term reactions. Additionally, sufficient green cleaning can reduce absenteeism and productivity decline that are often associated with poor indoor air quality.

Green cleaning is also an important tool for educational institutes to abide by New York State Green Cleaning Law (Chapter 584 of the laws of 2005). It provides a safe, healthy, and hygienic environment that promotes concentration and fuels academic excellence. In addition, it can also reduce the risk of contamination to the surrounding community and the environment.

A new at-home test could help people with celiac disease get their doctors to more quickly take the steps necessary for diagnosis. The test, by Houston based company Microdrop Health, is called imaware(tm).

It non-blood gluten intolerance test transglutaminase and deaminated gliadin peptide (DGP) tests that doctors use in their offices to diagnose celiac disease. Celiac disease must be diagnosed with these two blood tests plus a small intestine biopsy to show damage to the lining of the small intestine. Diagnosis is important because avoiding gluten will prevent the disease and many of its symptoms.

The test is relatively painless and easy to administer at home. People collect a sample with a provided cheek swab, then mail it to the company in a prepaid envelope. It says people can expect to receive results within 10 business days. The price of the test is reasonable and, although it’s not covered by medical insurance, pricing is clearly explained from the start.

At-Home Celiac Gene Test: Know Your Risk with Ease

One concern is that the test does not involve any medical consultation with a health care professional. This type of discussion would include talking about symptoms, family history and other factors that can influence the risk of developing celiac disease.

Another worry is that the test may lead some to assume they have celiac disease and skip further testing and the strict gluten-free diet required for a diagnosis. This can lead to a long-term gluten-free diet without a medical reason, and it might also increase the likelihood of developing non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a condition that can cause symptoms that mimic those of celiac disease and responds differently to a gluten-free diet.