The Sick Home…Finding The Cure

We all feel safe when in our homes. What the average individual does not know is that the environment within their homes can be more hazardous to their health than the outdoor environment. It has been shown that the air within our homes can be 100 times more polluted than the air outdoors.

There is no denying that over the years our outdoor air pollution has increased a thousand fold over the years. As we have become more industrialized, the by-products from these industries are spewing filth into the air we breathe. Each year there are more and more automobiles on the roads that are also releasing poisonous gases into the environment.

The fact is, that in our homes we live in a shuttered environment. There are factors that in this shuttered environment, many pollutants are prevalent, that are constantly releasing poisons into the air we breathe. These pollutants not only remain within the home, but the air becomes more and more degraded as time goes on. Causing the pollutants within our homes are the ordinary daily products that are a part of the daily household chores.

The chemicals from these products are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds release gases and particles into the air. These VOCs are also found in the rugs we walk on, the fabrics we wear, the drapes that are hanging in the home, and clothes we bring home from the dry cleaners. There are many other sources as well, such as, paint products, paint removers and paint strippers, laundry detergents as well as other cleaning detergents, and pesticides. You can also add the use of aerosol sprays such as, room deodorizers, hair spray, fragrance candles, etc.

The above list covers a lot of territory and yet it is not complete. Other pollutants come from pets and the pet dander they shed. Insects such as cockroaches are contributing factors. Indoor fireplaces that are constantly building up soot, and gas burning stoves release pollutants. Lets not forget the number one pollutant, smoking. In a home with a smoker or smokers there is a constant buildup of pollutants. Vying with smoking as the number one pollutant is mold. Due to even minor leaks from a roof, a water pipe in the wall (even condensation on the pipes), or constant dampness in a bathroom or shower, mold will start to grow. Mold proliferates very rapidly and just a minor area can turn into a very serious problem, covering large areas.

The list goes on and on, and yet there are other factors that are to be taken into consideration as well. Where the home is situated can be an extremely deciding factor in contributing to the sick home. Development of housing has increased by leaps and bounds over the years. Developers are finding it more difficult finding land on which to build. Land is being used where in the past had been used by industries, and the pollutants generated by these factories are imbedded in the soil. Landfill is placed over this very land and houses are built on it without any thought as to the dangers that can be beneath them. Chemicals left from industrial wastes can be carcinogenic, making the individuals living in houses on or near this land more prone to cancer, pulmonary and other diseases.

Gases generated by industrial wastes left from factories can invade the homes built on this land. Such a gas is Radon that has been proven to cause many illnesses. Every home should be tested for Radon gas. There are do-it-yourself kits that are inexpensive, and can be used for this very purpose. It would also be prudent to install an inexpensive Radon gas detector for continuous monitoring.

Individuals may find that they are exhibiting a variety of unexplainable symptoms such as:

Difficulty in sleeping, with the feeling of wanting to sit-up to sleep.
Night sweats, or chills and fever.
A constant feeling of fatigue.
Increased difficulty in breathing.
Increased shortness of breath.
Coughing excessively and wheezing.
Pains in chest due to labored breathing.
An increase of sputum with changes in the character of the sputum.
Signs of blood when bringing up sputum.
Unexplained skin breakouts.

Should the above symptoms become persistent, it would be prudent to see your healthcare provider, as well as calling in an environmental professional to have their home inspected. They can also take the proper precautions as well. Start by going from room to room, making that room as free from agents that create pollutants to the indoor air environment.

In the bedroom, start by stripping the bed of all linens, sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, blankets, shams, etc. Wash them in hot water, using an environmentally safe detergent. While these items are being washed, vacuum the entire room thoroughly, starting with bed, turning the mattress, and under the bed. Be sure to vacuum the spring or box spring, top and bottom. Next vacuum the drapes and the carpeting. If the floor is wood or tile, vacuum it anyway.

In the bathroom open the medicine cabinet. Inspect all your medicines, both prescription and over the counter. Any that are unlabeled, not being used or have outdated expiration dates, should be thrown out. Check the perfumes, fragrances, bath salts and powders. Those not being used or smell rancid should be tossed. Decide which of the items are going to be kept and place the prescription and over the counter medication in one area. All the other items can be placed in the under-sink cabinets. Be sure that these cabinets are secure if children are in the household, so that they cannot get to these items. Next you need to check if there are any areas of moisture, especially around the sink, toilet, tub and shower. Check the walls and floor for any signs of moisture. Finding an area of dampness can indicate a slow leak within the walls, and you should consult with a professional plumber or a construction specialist to investigate the possibility of such a leak. If you find any mold on the tile, floor or toilet rim, it should be cleaned as soon as possible so that it can’t proliferate. Using sprays that remove mold will just add more chemicals into your home environment. Make your own solution by adding one cup of white vinegar to a half gallon of water. This actually works as well. Using this solution on a monthly basis will keep your bathroom mold-free and sparkling.

In the kitchen you will need to open each cabinet and thoroughly inspect each item you find. Items you are not using, or haven’t been used in a long time, should be disposed of. Place all such items in one place until you have finished your inspection. They can then be disposed of all at one time. When you have finished inspecting the upper cabinets, you can then start on the lower cabinets. Items such as cleaning agents, detergents, sprays, etc., should be placed in the lower cabinet under the sink. This cabinet also needs to be secure and safe from curious little children.

In the cellar, if you have one, needs to be inspected for water leaks, mold accumulation and insect infestation. The water heater, cooling system and furnace should be thoroughly inspected. What is the condition of the filters? When have they been changed last? Filters need to be changed on a monthly basis. It is best to designate a particular day to do this so that you will remember to change them on that day. Next, you need to inspect the whole area for items stored and accumulated. If you haven’t used cans of paint, paint thinners, or strippers for several months, the chances are you will never use them. Place these in one area to be discarded. These will need to be disposed of properly at a chemical disposal site. Each city usually has one, and they designate special dates for pick-up.

In the attic you should check for areas of exposed fiberglass insulation. These areas must be covered with wallboard to keep them from being exposed to the air. In the attic that has a fan, this is particularly important. An attic fan will pick up fiberglass particles and distribute them throughout the house. The attic fan should be cleaned and vacuumed thoroughly. The attic is notoriously used as a storage area for items that are not in use, or haven’t been used for years. These are dust gatherers and the dust ends up in the living areas of your home. Throw away or dispose of items that are never going to be used or want. Dust and vacuum the items you are keeping. Place them in one area and throw a sheet or plastic over them. Vacuum the entire floor, ceiling and particularly the corners.

You also need to address pets as a source of air pollution. As a pet lover, I do not advocate getting rid of your pets. However, you will have to be more aggressive in vacuuming the areas they use, and on a more frequent schedule. Dogs need to be bathed more often and cats need to be brushed regularly and even bathed from time to time. This will help keep animal dander at a minimum.

Having gone through the house with a fine-tooth comb, you should designate certain dates and mark them down so that you can do preventative maintenance on a regular basis. These maintenance procedures will not take as long, because you will already have done a yeoman job of disposing of the not needed items, and the heavier cleaning. Maintaining environmentally clean air in your home is a daunting task. In addition to the above procedures, it will behoove you to look into acquiring a unit that filters the air. It is not always feasible to install a central air filter because the cost can be prohibitive. Single units can be used in the rooms that are most often being used, especially the bedroom where you spend at least one third of your day. Using a good air-filtering unit in you bedroom will allow for a better night’s sleep.

You can get more information on air pollution and what to do to combat it by going to these websites.