How Bad Is It…To spray

help wanted

Straight answers to scratch-your-head questions. how bad is it …

...to spray-paint something directly on grass?

Protect your lawn the same way you would your carpets or hardwood foors. if paint coats grass blades, it can block the plant from absorbing the sunlight it needs to produce valuable, life-sustaining nutrients, says ben Hamza, Ph.d., director of technical operations at TruGreen, a national lawn-care company. it can also prevent grass from being able to cool itself down, which can turn it brown or even kill an entire patch. So spray it safe: Put down a drop cloth, an old sheet, or a piece of cardboard frst. really bad!

…to fush prescription medication down the toilet?

Getting rid of pharmaceuticals via the toilet may seem like a simple solution, but most meds shouldn’t go down the drain. “Flushed drugs can seep into groundwater or enter surface waters, such as rivers and lakes,” says Elizabeth Southerland, director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Ofce of Science and Technology. With no surefre way to flter them out, those drugs could end up in your drinking water. The EPA’s advice: Ask your local government’s trash service about nearby drug-take-back programs. Or mix the meds with something inedible—such as kitty litter—seal in a plastic bag, and throw away. The exception: when an overdose risk trumps ecological concerns. For drugs that can be harmful to a child or a pet in a single dose, like Demerol, the FDA suggests fushing; go to fda.gov for a complete list. really bad!

…to let your dog chase squirrels?

It’s a natural instinct, but Fido’s predatory behavior is risky—and not just for the squirrel. “Dogs on the chase often dash into the street, where they could get injured or worse,” says Katherine Miller, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist with the ASPCA. Canines pursuing prey can also fnd themselves scufing with a cornered, diseased animal. To discourage a pooch’s hunting drive, teach it while it’s still a pup to lay of the wildlife— even when of-leash in your backyard—or start a no-chase training program pronto using positive reinforcement. And remember that a dog tuckered out from regular exercise is less likely to run after small critters. pretty bad!

Let’s cut to the chase—it’s super bad for me.

…to use a communal yoga mat at the gym?

Grabbing a public mat for class may not be a very Zen experience. Mats that are shared and not sanitized expose you to bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can lead to the fu and colds, athlete’s foot, and even— wait for it—fesh-eating strep infections. “I wouldn’t recommend using a communal mat unless it’s thoroughly cleaned after each use,” says Philip Tierno, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and pathology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Since you can’t rely on gym staf to be 100% diligent, Tierno recommends spritzing the mat with a disinfectant containing alcohol, then letting it air-dry for a few minutes. Sound labor-intensive? The best strategy: BYOYM (bring your own yoga mat). super bad!