What could be more romantic than a cozy fire? A crackling fireplace has long been embedded in our ideal of a home.

The only downside to this woodsy comfort is the numerous pollutants released when the lumber is burned.

One of these pollutants is carbon monoxide. Among many things, carbon monoxide can contribute to the development of cancer. It has no odor or color, which makes it hard for people to detect until they have been harmfully affected by it.

But for those who still wish to benefit from fire’s warmth and whimsy, there are other ways to go about it.

Luckily recent innovation has created a solution.

Using coffee grounds and other natural material, Pine Mountain has made alternatives to capture the tradition of cordwood fire while reducing the release of harmful toxins.

It also means more trees can thrive without fear of becoming stumps. You can get logs that come in 2 hour, 3 hour, or 4 hour burn times.

The java logs are particularly interesting. When combusted, coffee grounds have more energy than cordwood.

But all Pine Mountain logs use clean burn technology, releasing up to 80% less carbon monoxide and 75% less particle matter than woods like Douglas fir and oak. Plus creosote accumulation is reduced to 41 grams per fire as compared to 8.78 grams produced by oak fire. This accounts for up to 66% less. Just remember that these are not starter logs, and are intended for independent use, you need only to burn one log at a time.

These logs can be burned outside as well. So bring some along for camping or to keep warm during an evening of stargazing.

Though there is not yet a perfect alternative to wood burning, unless you avoid it altogether, java log and similar products can do a lot to achieve warm inviting fires, while maintaining a cleaner atmosphere.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in clean air, consider the Airocide, which uses NASA-developed technology to eliminate indoor toxins and pollutants.

We talk a lot about the importance of clean air in our neighborhoods, but we sometimes we forget that the most important location for clean air is in the rooms where we live and work. The same air that is polluted outside of our buildings is the same air that gets pulled inside for ventilation, where it then also mixes with gasses and pollutants coming from the furnishings and building materials that make up the rooms.

Because we only have a minimal amount of control over the air outside, filtering or purifying that indoor air is the most effective way to mitigate the effects of toxins and pollutants. Air filtration units are fairly easy to find, but many of them are limited in their effectiveness, and offer only a physical filter to capture large airborne particles. but a new kind of air purifier goes way beyond that.

The Airocide unit, which is based on technology developed by NASA, doesn’t have a filter, but instead uses highly reactive catalysts to destroy pathogens and clear the air of all of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) it carries.

Originally developed by NASA engineers and researchers at the University of Wisconsin to eliminate ethylene gas from the space station, the technology behind Airocide has now been used for almost 15 years by grocery stores, food packers, and florists to extend the shelf life of their fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Once it was discovered that the units could eliminate viruses, bacteria, molds, pollen, and dust mites, the units have been installed in hospitals and medical facilities in order to slow or stop the spread of infectious diseases there.

Airocide draws pathogens and pollutants into a photocatalytic oxidation reactor, where they are destroyed, removing VOCs and harmful gasses:

“Our patented bioconversion process grabs fungi, mold, viruses, bacteria and more and disassembles them at their molecular level. Airocide also clears the air of virtually 100% of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S) – the harmful gasses emitted by products like aerosol sprays, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, building materials, paints and paint thinner, strippers, pesticides and even air fresheners.”

The Airocide units don’t use a filter, so there is nothing that users need to clean in order to keep it working effectively, but once a year, the reaction chamber must be replaced ($99), and the units have a notification light for alerting users when it’s time to change it.

According to the company, 12 years of scientific testing in the U.S., plus data from field use on the Space Station, lab studies and case studies indicate that the Airocide can reduce the amount of bacteria and mold in household air by 75%, which could make a huge difference in personal health.

At a retail price of about $800, Airocide might not be for everyone, but the allergic, the chemically-sensitive, and those living in highly polluted areas may find relief with this high-tech air purifier. Find out more at Airocide.

The Vicarious by Nature collection of fashionable, organic & eco-conscious contemporary clothing will be on show on March 8, 2012 at the Attire to Inspire fashion show as part of Los Angeles fashion week.

Founded in 2007 by Robb Hanson & Devon Craychee, Vicarious by Nature (VBN) is an eco-contemporary clothing line that fosters the ideals of quality and style with a “naturally” conscious approach. They aim to be forward thinking environmentally, while still being fashion forward.

Attire to Inspire, Breathe LA‘s second annual charity fashion show, will be held at the Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles. Other eco conscious designers featured in the show are Yotam Solomon and Moods of Norway.

Breathe LA is a non-profit organization committed to improving lung health and air quality for Los Angeles area residents. Breathe LA serves as a clean air and healthy living advocate and is recognized for its educational series and wellness programs including environmental education, asthma control for children and groundbreaking research.