Sara Cwynar

Articles

The Surprising Health Risks of Scented Candles

Scented candles health risks weren’t even on my radar until I’m sitting here in my cramped Jersey apartment, windows cracked because it’s November and I’m too cheap to crank the heat, and suddenly I can’t stop coughing like a chain smoker. Like, I’d been...
Indoor Air
3
min.
Half-built wooden crib, vintage bottle, snake plant, and floating origami cranes in soft light.

How to Build a Pollution-Free Nursery for Newborns?

Pollution-free nursery—yeah, I’m still chasing that unicorn in my creaky Ohio house and honestly, some days it feels like I’m losing. Like last night,...
Indoor Air
4
minutes
Paint can spills rainbow fumes; party-hat VOC ghosts float in hazy kitchen.

VOCs in Your Home: Where They Come from & How to...

VOCs in your home hit me like a truck the day I dragged that clearance couch through the front door in Columbus. I’m talking...
Indoor Air
3
minutes
Golden retriever sneezing amid pollen, leaves, and cartoon allergy ghosts.

Pets and Indoor Air: Tips to Keep Allergies Under Control

Pets and indoor air quality—ugh, it’s been a total crapshow in my little Philly walk-up. Baxter, my scruffy little terrier mutt, he’s the absolute...
Indoor Air
3
minutes
Drooping snake plant in chipped mug, Cheetos dust, gas-masked duck on dusty Arizona windowsill.

Best Houseplants for Cleaner Air (Scientifically Proven)

Best houseplants for cleaner air became my desperate Google search at 2 a.m. after another nosebleed from the bone-dry Arizona air and construction dust...
Indoor Air
4
minutes
Solar panel at sunset with apple core and floating bottle-cap question marks.

Renewable Energy and Health: The Benefits You Didn’t Expect

Renewable energy and health? Yeah, I’m the last dude you’d expect preaching this, sitting here in my cluttered Ohio basement with a half-spilled coffee...
Renewables
2
minutes
Runner with phone-face showing 999 AQI, bandana mask down, embers in hazy orange sky.

Is It Safe to Exercise Outdoors During Smoke Alerts?

Is it safe to exercise outdoors during smoke alerts? Nah, but I did it anyway last fall when LA looked like the inside of...
Wildfires
2
minutes