Cleanse Your Home of Health Hazards

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Blog

Dina Goda

Sunday, October 21, 2007

On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors and approximately 1/3 of their lives sleeping. That’s a lot of indoor time.

That’s why it’s important to learn about some of the most common household health hazards.

This is no easy task, especially considering that close to 75,000 chemicals have been manufactured, patented, and injected into our building materials and household supplies. That’s a lot to learn about. The good news is that that out of those 75,000 chemicals, researchers suspect only a few dozen of having a negative impact on the quality of your indoor home environment.

Fortunately, there are affordable and simple ways to reduce exposure to noxious chemicals found in a typical home. Learn more about the most common household toxins, simple ways to alleviate their effects, and where to find sustainable and effective alternatives.

Common Source of Household Toxins	Potential Hazard	Tips to reduce your exposure
Allergens such as dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet dander	Allergy triggers	Use HEPA filters for your air ducts and vacuum cleaner
Asbestos	Can lead to lung disease and cancer	Leave undamaged insulation undisturbed
Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)	Can lead to sleep disorders, headaches, and cancer	Move power strips away from your bed or work space; identify and avoid “hot spots”
Forced-Air Ducts	Can release allergens	Have cleaned (by certified technician) once a year
Gas Furnaces	Can release carbon monoxide or NO2	Maintain regularly; keep well-ventilated
Household Cleaners	Can release airborne toxins	Buy in small quantities; avoid long-term storage; keep out of children’s reach; use nontoxic products
Lead Paint	Can cause behavioral problems in children	Clean damaged surfaces and seal
Paints & Solvents	Can release airborne toxins	While using, keep areas well-ventilated; opt for low VOC paints
Pesticides	Particularly unsafe for children & environment	Switch to Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Radon	2nd leading cause of lung cancer	Test your home for safe levels
Refrigerator Drip Pans	Breeding ground for mold spores	Wash monthly
Vinyl Shower Curtains	Releases DEHP which may cause cancer	Switch to cotton or glass stall

Learn More

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website to learn more about toxins that can be found in your home and the environment.

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