How Safe Is Environment in Your Home

Dear Hector,

I have read your articles on several occasions and have found them to be very informative. One particular article stood out regarding the environment in the home. I have been home with a six-week-old baby girl and a five-year-old boy. I am concerned with maintaining a healthy environment and eliminating anything that they can possibly be exposed to inside our home. Both my husband and I want to ensure that we eliminate the possibility of exposure to toxins in our home.

We live in a home that was built in the 1920’s. I have noticed that in the past few years we have been getting sick a lot easier than before. Any suggestions or comments will be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

J. H.

Dear J. H.

Every morning we tune in the news to see what the weather will be like. Well, what if we took the same time to evaluate the environment inside our home. We spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors, and the majority of it in our home. We are either at work, which for many of us is indoors, or at home.

Family members that spend most of their time in the home are women, children and the elderly. They are at a higher risk of exposure to the environment inside the home.

In the summer the windows get closed and locked and the air conditioning gets turned on. In the colder months, we again seal our windows and homes so that heat does not escape. We trap the irritants like, pollutants, pollen and other allergens in the home.

Humidity is another problem we face in our home. Although it can be a good thing, too much is not. Humidity facilitates mold spores to develop. So, the possibility that we can have mold in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and attic…is there.

Further affecting us, is a more dangerous exterior pollutant that can enter certain homes through cracks and deficiencies in our concrete slab and foundation. This is commonly known as Radon. Radon is a potentially dangerous gas that has been linked to numerous cases of cancer. You would never know it was there…until it is too late. A simple test can tell you whether your home contains it and at what levels.

There is a common dynamic between people that suffer from exposure to pollutants in their home. This is, in most cases, that the individual’s symptoms begin to subside after being away from their residence for several hours and recur after reentering their home.

The need for an environmentally safe home shouldn’t be taken lightly. In my home, within the last few years I have noticed that my family has gotten sick more often and in speaking with others, I am finding out that many families are experiencing the same affects.

These situations need to be monitored by the homeowner. An individual profile of each person in the household should be maintained. The outline should include:

• The age of each person living in the home.
• The amount of time spent in the home.
• Known causes to which a subject is or may be allergic to.
• The level of reactions to a possible allergen…mild, moderate or serious.
• Possible sources of the problem…Like the location or has the home been treated for something lately, i.e.: lawn, carpet cleaning, extermination, or dampness.
• Does the individual begin to clear up or feel better when away from the home for a period of time?

Make it as simple and easy as you can. Hang a clipboard where it will be easy to access and not be forgotten. If you think of any other questions that may help to determine the cause, add it to the list.

Your senses play a major role in identifying possible areas of concern:

• Do you see any mold in dark damp locations?
• Do you see any water stains, droppings and charred areas in the attic or basement that may have not been eliminated by the previous owner?
• Can you smell any chemical odors i.e.: paint, smoke, dampness, tobacco, burned materials, fireplace?

The concern over energy conservation has lead homes to be built more constricted. While this is good for fuel and energy conservation it allows for minimal movement of air, thus, allowing for dampness in the home to nurture mold spores. Some areas of potential concern and signs associated with mold, gases and chemicals are:

Mold

• Basement – a black, white and multi color discolorations on walls, floors, and carpets. A musty odor is usually apparent, as well.
• Attics – moisture and animal droppings.
• Windows – decomposing wood, peeling and condensation.
• Carpets – a collection of moisture can result in the growth of mold spores.
• Sump pits and floor drains – are areas of mold growth.
• Humidifier trays, air conditioners and furnaces – are likely places for dust, which provides an environment for mold.
• Furniture – waterbeds, kitchen and vanity cabinets are places that water can leak and cultivate mold.

Invisible and visible gasses

• Improperly vented areas of concern – fireplaces, furnaces, hot water heaters, wood and coal burning stoves.

It is important to note that carbon monoxide gas from your furnace and hot water heater can potentially be fatal, if they are not detectable without a functioning carbon monoxide detector. I suggest a minimum of two detectors. Place one by your furnace, and the other near your bedrooms.

Chemical Pollutants

• Carpet – chemical smells in new carpets and dust mites are typical problems.
• Insulation – both loose and fiber insulation can emit particles that can be harmful to inhale and cause rashes to occur.
• Particle Board – glue used in the fabrication of particleboard, paneling and plywood can emit formaldehyde gases.
• Asbestos – disturbed particles can be inhaled causing a dangerous and fatal lung risk.
• Lead-based paints – lead dust is another very dangerous and even lethal hazard. Lead dust is most common while construction is ongoing or after the work is complete.
• Cleaning products – Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can affect your breathing and have a negative reaction if contact is made with skin or if inhaled. Should skin irritation or a lightheaded feeling occur, you may want to seek immediate medical care.
• Clothes – smoke from tobacco, dry cleaning chemicals and detergents are other irritants that can affect your environment.

Being aware and taking action is primary for ridding your home of environmental hazards. You are so right stating that, “maintaining good air quality indoors is ideal for fostering a healthy atmosphere in your home”. So if this condition continues or if you want to be certain of the condition in your home, have an environmental engineer assess the situation in your home. It may be the best money you’ll ever spend.

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