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Avoid Allergies and Other Problems in a Healthy Household | |
By COUNTRY LIVING Your house could be hazardous to your health. Doctors who treat people suffering from allergies, Frederica Templeton wrote in an article in the current issue of Country Living, have known for many years that the dust, dust mites, mold and mildew, and animal dander and other allergens present in most houses can cause chronic respiratory illness and asthma. Moisture in the walls and carpeting as well as in humidifiers and air conditioners provide an ideal breeding ground for fungi. In addition to these natural biological contaminants, scientists have identified numerous man-made materials that can be a source of health problems. The impact can be as mild as eye or throat irritation or as serious as cancer. A 1987 report sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency listed more than 300 volatile organic chemicals that may be present in a single dwelling. One of the most common - and potentially most harmful - is formaldehyde, which is widely used in building materials, upholstered furniture, permanent press fabrics, adhesives and paints. Volatile chemicals are also present in carpeting, vinyl flooring, countertops, sealers and finishes, and pesticides - even some cleaning products. Synthetic carpeting not only emits formaldehyde but other hazardous chemicals, including pesticides and neurotoxic solvents like toluene, xylene and benzene. There have been hundreds of complaints in recent years to the Consumer Product Safety Commission from people who have suffered serious reactions to synthetic carpeting. These odorless, tasteless pollutants result in a buildup of toxins in houses which are potentially harmful to health even in low doses. Other sources of health problems in the home that have been identified in the past 20 years are lead, asbestos, radon and electromagnetic energy. Creating a healthier home environment depends on a three-part strategy - identifying potential sources of pollutants, removing as many as possible and improving ventilation. You may want to retrofit your home with nontoxic materials, but this may not be possible or necessary. There are many inexpensive ways to improve air quality and minimize the effects of toxins. Many environmentally sensitive materials - nontoxic paints and bedding, for example - cost only slightly more or the same as those made from chemicals. Here are a few things homeowners can do to promote healthy indoor air: Test your house for radon. Inexpensive kits are available for both long-term and short-term tests. Clean dehumidifiers and humidifiers every week and refrigerator drip pans every four to six weeks to prevent both the growth of mold and its resultant mildew spores from becoming airborne. Vacuum duct outlets twice a year. Ductwork in older homes should be professionally cleaned every three three to five years. Use natural fibers for clothing, bedding and draperies as often as possible. Remove all synthetic carpeting, especially wall-to-wall, and replace it with hardwood, tile or linoleum flooring and area rugs of wool or cotton. Reduce the amount of electromagnetic energy you are exposed to by staying at least 3 feet away from such appliances as the microwave oven when it is on. If you are building a new home or remodeling, you can incorporate many preventive measures into the process. The initial cost of building a house with nontoxic materials and methods may be somewhat higher than using standard materials and techniques, but the results will be worth it in the long term. By demanding nontoxic building materials and household products, noted, consumers can improve not only their immediate environment but eventually the environment of the entire planet. Copyright 1996 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | |