The Rachel Carson Homestead compiles information for the public on environmental health and sustainable living issues.  This page of Smart Choices Resources provides people with simple facts about reducing our exposure to toxins and helpful hints about how we might learn from and work with nature.  All our brochures are available for download in Adobe® PDF format.  You will need Adobe Reader.

Rachel Carson Homestead's Health & the Environment Series
Unintended Consequences of Convenience
These informational guides deal with the toxins we are exposed to every day of our lives.  From endocrine disruptors to chemical pesticides and even in our personal care products, men, women and children breathe in, consume, or take in through our skin hundreds of natural and synthetic chemicals - mostly without our knowledge.

Because most of us are unaware of the potential for harm in the products we use or consume, people are both part of the problem and, more importantly, the solution, too.  This series provides the public with easy-to-understand information on these issues as well as tips and resources to make smart consumer choices.

 Endocrine Disruptors - download here
Did you know that ...
• We use products that leach harmful substances into our food and water?
• We use personal care and home care products containing materials that cause biological effects?
Learn more about endocrine disruptors and how you can reduce your exposure by downloading our informational brochure - download here

Chemical Pesticides - download here
Did you know that ...
• In 2005, 5 billion lbs. of pesticides were used in the United States?
• Children are exposed to more pesticides which can affect their development?
• Home and garden applications account for more per acre pesticide application than agriculture?
Learn more about chemical pesticides, their alternatives, and how you can reduce your exposure by downloading our informational brochure - download here

Personal Care Products - download here
Did you know that ...
• Only 11% of all personal care products are tested for safety, and many contain carcinogens and other toxic substances?
• Some of the chemicals found in personal care products are linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other health problems?
Learn more about toxins in personal care products and how you can reduce your exposure by downloading our informational brochure - download here

 Why Organic Matters - download here
Did you know that ...
• Conventional farming uses more petroleum than any other industry and consumes almost 12% of the U.S. energy supply?
• Conventional agriculture can put a chemical burden in our food supply?
• 20 million American children aged five and under eat an average of eight pesticides a day?
Learn more about the importance of organic and sustainable farming and how you can reduce your exposure to potentially harmful toxicants by downloading our informational brohcure - download here.

 Energy Consumption - download here
Did you know that ...
• Only 36% of the fuel we consume produces useful work; 58% is wasted through losses and inefficiencies?
• Electricity production and transportation account for 75% of the green house gas production in the United States.  The rest is from heating and cooling buildings and industrial processes?
• Only 6% of the fossil resources we use produces all of the pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers and materials, hydrocarbon based chemicals and plastics?
Learn more about our energy consumption and the real cost to our health and environment and what we can do to live more sustainably by downloading our informational brochure - download here.
Tools for Sustainable Living
This series of booklets deals with the why's and how-to's of various practices that help reduce our use of energy and our contributions to pollution, as well as reduce and/or eliminate our use of toxic chemicals.

Composting - download here
Did you know that ...
• Food and yard waste make up 24% of all municipal waste?
• Every American throws away the equivalent of 10,000 pieces of paper a year?
• Americans generate nearly 31 million tons of food and yard waste a year?
Learn more about composting and how you can utilize this tool to sustainable living by downloading our informational brochure - download here

Native Gardening - download here
Did you know that ...
• Invasive species of plants and animals impact nearly half the species listed as Threatened or Endangered by the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act?
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled each year when filling garden equipment.  That's more than the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez in Alaska.
Learn more about gardening with native plants and supporting healthy ecosystems by downloading our informational brochure - download here
        



 
Contributions
Support Rachel Carson's legacy by making a contribution. Individual and Corporate giving programs are available.  Also donate on-line.
 
Make a Commitment
Learn more about Rachel Carson’s environmental ethic and environmental health. Take action now to reduce your exposure to chemical toxins and help heal the planet.
Photos of Rachel Carson courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services and the Lear/Carson Collection, Connecticut College