Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the bathroom is where over half of our household water usage takes place? What are some ways to take a bite out of that? — Shelby McIntyre, Chico, CA Yes indeed, some 60 percent of our household indoor water usage happens in the bathroom. As such,...

Dear EarthTalk: Are there healthy, green-friendly mouthwashes? I’ve heard that some contain formaldehyde and other nasty substances. – Marina Sandberg, Albany, NY Many mainstream mouthwashes contain ingredients that you definitely don’t want to swallow, or even put down the drain....

Dear EarthTalk: Ever since the red dye #2 scare in the 1970s I’ve been wary of using food colorings or buying food that appears to contain them. Are there natural and healthy food colorings? – Nancy McFarlane, Methuen, MA Many of us are still wary of food dyes because of reports about...

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the story with Echinacea? Many herb teas contain it, and many people swear by it as a cold remedy. But I’ve also seen headlines saying that the herb has no medicinal value whatsoever. Can you set the record straight? – Arlene Hixson, Portland, ME Echinacea,...

Dear EarthTalk: I always hear about hair products and sprays that claim to be natural and organic based. What are some hair products that can be purchased that are legit and cause no harm to the environment? –Penny Siegel, Milwaukee, WI Many common hair care products, including shampoos,...

Dear EarthTalk: What is the environmental impact of so many people now using sites like Facebook and spending so much time online? –Bob Yearling, Paris, TX The environmental impact of so much online time really boils down to energy usage, which in turn affects the amount of greenhouse...

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard of green roofs, but what are “green walls?” – P. Spencer, Alcoa, TN Green walls (also known as biowalls, vertical gardens or vertical vegetated complex walls) are wall structures partly composed of or filled in with growing plant matter. More than just...

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard of the slow food movement, but what is “slow money” all about? — Phil Nimkoff, New York, NY “Slow Money” is the name for a movement started by socially conscious investing pioneer and author, Woody Tasch, who essentially borrowed the conceptual...

Dear EarthTalk: Are the plastic tiers on food steamers safe for food and for re-heating? Some indicate they are made from #7 plastic. I am very interested in buying a steamer, but not if they are unsafe. What’s the best way to go? – Jim Lichlyter, Jr., Valley Center, KS While you may...

  Dear EarthTalk: I heard that species of flora and fauna are dying at a growing rate globally. How is this calculated and which types of species are dwindling faster? – Colin Gooder, Franklin, NC Researchers believe that the rate of species loss currently underway is 100-1,000...