So he sought out nontoxic products when he opened Green Clean in 1993.

Mr. Bierman-Lytle said that nontoxic products generally cost about 10 to 50 percent more than conventional construction materials, mainly because of their limited availability.

It instead consists of the methods, materials and techniques used for everything from generating energy to manufacturing nontoxic products.

Answer: Shaw: I recommend using nontoxic, USDA-certified organic products, specifically hair care products that are free of sulfates, parabens, silicone, mineral oil, and synthetics.

The spray, Counter Assault, is a natural product, nontoxic and nonlethal, intended to divert a bear, not maim it, said Mr. Pounds.

The book includes a list picking out 25 United States "sustainable living center" hostels that have been adapted to reduce waste and conserve water and that seek out nontoxic products.

Although most of her business is the use of nontoxic products for hair color treatments, she came to feel that the connotations of "alternative" were alienating potential customers.

Our nontoxic stain-removal products also remove grease-based stains.

Many nontoxic products are plant-based or labeled as safe for household use.

She and Mr. Rhodes settled on what engineers call a "liquid surfactant cleaner," a nontoxic product called Simple Green.