Using a power strip is green: Back when a new desktop computer was as...

You definitely want to get the lead out. Although it has been widely used for centuries-in products such as paints, solder, ceramic glaze, and (in modern times) gasoline-this heavy metal has long been known to be highly toxic. It is also a dangerous environmental pollutant. For these reasons it has been banned or phased out of most applications, but lead can still be found in older homes, in certain drinking water systems, and at worksites. Lead exposure can cause serious damage to vital organs and to the nervous system; children are at particular risk. If you live in a home built before 1970, it's a good idea to have a lead test done to check for traces of lead in paint (dust, or old, peeling paint) or in your water supply. The material can be removed (through a process called abatement, which should be done by professionals), or sealed in with lead encapsulants to prevent dust and chips.

If you're shocked every time you open your bill from the electric company, it might be time to...