Making Your Home A Healthy One | |
We'd all like to think that the safest place to be is in our own homes. But, as it turns out, that's not always the case. Our houses are chock full of things that can make us sick -- or even outright kill us. It's important to know what these hazards are, and how to prevent being harmed by them. There are two underlying reasons why indoor toxins have become a threat over the years. One reason is that our houses are generally well-sealed and insulated to make them more energy efficient. Without proper ventilation, homes can accumulate all sorts of pollutants. The second reason is that we typically spend 90% of our time indoors. And of that, says the American Lung Assocation, 65% is spent inside our houses. Some of these toxins are generated by the synthetic, mechanical, and otherwise technological stuff with which we fill our homes: water heaters that give off exhaust fumes, furniture that releases formaldehyde into the air, paints that contain lead, asbestos that insulates pipes. And sometimes the pollutants may be more organic (or geologic) in nature: tiny dust mites that hide in bedding, mildew that grows in the bathroom, radon that seeps into the basement. Fortunately, many of the causes of indoor air pollution can be remedied fairly easily and inexpensively. Often, it's simply a question of awareness and common sense. Take, for example, devices that combust fuel, producing toxic fumes. Furnaces, water heaters, gas ovens, clothes dryers, and fireplaces are examples. If they are not operating properly, or if their chimney or vent to the outside is blocked, they may release toxins like carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) inside. Nitrogen dioxide can irritate our eyes and respiratory tract, while carbon monoxide affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen to cells. People poisoned by CO feel dizzy, tired, or nauseous; high levels of the odorless gas can be deadly. Carbon monoxide can also enter your home through the common wall of an attached garage where a car or mower engine is idling. You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector, which looks like a smoke detector, to warn you if the gas rises to dangerous levels in your house. Unlike CO, which you can't smell or see, formaldehyde has a strong odor. It's released by common materials like particleboard and paneling, as well as by some glues, fabrics, and carpeting adhesives. The gas is also a component of cigarette smoke. When exposed to formaldehyde, people may suffer from headaches, nausea, and eye or throat irritation. In rare cases, experts believe, some people over time can become so sensitive to the gas that even low levels of formaldehyde cause debilitating health effects. Some of the most dangerous chemicals in our homes are also very ordinary: cleaning agents (such as oven cleaners), pesticides (which can give off volatile organic compounds), and hobby products (paints and lead solder). For example, the American Lung Association points out that homes typically have 45 aerosol products; aerosol particles can carry toxins to the lungs. Combating indoor air pollution can be as simple as having your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment inspected every year. Read the labels of household products for safe handling instructions. Clean air conditioners and humidifiers to keep them free of mold and mildew. And don't smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars inside; carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and cancer-causing particles are all released by the smoldering tobacco. Contact the organizations below for more information about indoor air quality: * The EPA's Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse, at 1-800-438-4318 * The Consumer Product Safety Commission, at 1-800-638-2772 * The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, at 1-800-35-NIOSH * The American Lung Association, at 1-800-LUNG-USA * The Total Indoor Environment Quality Coalition, at 202-638-1200 written by Judith Gunther Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |