They're our safe havens, but could our homes also be making us ill? We report on the alarmingly common Toxic Home Syndrome.
Home is where the heart is - but it may also be where the harm is.
It's estimated that 15.3 million households suffer from Toxic Home Syndrome, where occupants' health deteriorates as a result of poor indoor air quality. And while the most common effects are coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, fatigue, dizziness and headaches, a recent study found that exposure to indoor pollutants can also be linked to reduced life expectancy, and diseases including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and asthma.
Cause for concern
A study backed by the electrotechnical industry body BEAMA, has been launched to draw attention to the problems caused by poor indoor air quality, and promote better home ventilation.
The initiative says 81% of people are at risk of suffering from a respiratory or dermatological condition because of poor air quality inside their home.
On average, we spend more than 90% of our time indoors, and indoor air can be up to 50 times more polluted than outdoor air, containing over 900 chemicals, particles, and biological materials. And as well as the common effects of inhaling these chemicals, like sneezing and headaches, there can sometimes be more severe results, including eye irritation, rhinitis, fever or chills, rashes, hearing loss, muscle pain, nosebleeds, and respiratory problems.
Better out than in
Indoor pollutants can be naturally occurring, such as mold spores from damp spots on walls and window frames, or even from decaying food. Mold is likely to cause more problems in homes with little or no ventilation, and 58% of people have experienced mold or condensation in their homes.
"Perennial allergens, such as house dust mites and mold within the home, are a major contributor to diseases like asthma and eczema, and rhinitis," says Professor Howarth, Professor of allergy and respiratory medicine at Southampton University.
"Surveys have shown a high percentage of homes have some evidence of visible mold, in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, where there's the highest humidity, and the older the housing, the poorer the damp proof coursing, and the more likelihood for damp problems."
In addition, wet clothes dried indoors can increase moisture levels in the home, encouraging mold to grow.
Further indoor pollution may come from pollen brought in from outside either through open windows or on shoes and clothes, pet dander, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Chemical nation
VOCs can be found in many everyday cleaning products including air fresheners, carpet cleaners, polish and oven cleaners, and can trigger asthma.
"There are varying reports as to whether VOC levels are raised within the home or not," says Professor Howarth, "but certainly higher levels can give rise to non-specific symptoms such as headache, stuffiness, itchy skin and not feeling quite right.
"It's often things that aren't particularly striking - until you remove them and realize you haven't been quite so well."
Certain gases can also pollute indoor air. Radon, a natural radioactive gas emanating from soil and rock, can enter through cracks and gaps in walls and floors, and via the water supply. Carbon monoxide is another pollutant that can be found in homes with faulty heating or cooking appliances and can build up from clogged chimneys and cigarette smoke.
Bricking it
Building materials can also adversely affect health - paint, for example, can contain lead and formaldehyde, which can lead to breathing difficulties, increased blood pressure and joint pain, among other things.
Asbestos, found in industrial or residential premises built before 2000, can become lodged in the lungs and cause serious problems.
"There's not much information available about the problem of indoor pollutants," says Professor Howarth, who stresses that good ventilation within the home is a vital part of tackling poor-quality indoor air.
"As new houses are built that are more insulated and airtight, there can be less air exchange within the rooms, so unless they're properly ventilated, humid rooms will build up condensation, which can be another source of mold within the home.
"As we move towards more energy-efficient homes and people are worried about their heating costs, the windows may be kept closed. But obviously, if you open the windows, you'll get good ventilation.
"I advise my patients to prioritize good household ventilation - assess the systems your home has in place and look to update them if they are faulty or out of date."
Top tips from Alternatives Organic
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products, which spew fewer toxins and pollutants into the air.
- Make sure you have effective ventilation throughout your home.
- Use roll-on deodorant or eco-friendly beauty products, rather than aerosol cans.
- Consider wood flooring: carpets harbor dirt, dust mites, pet hair, fungus and other potentially harmful particles that can aggravate the lungs.
- Switch off all technological devices by the wall when they're not being used.
- Take your shoes off at the door so pollen, dirt, soil, etc from outdoors isn't spread around your home.
- If you notice your health deteriorating, make sure your home is radon-free by getting it tested.
- Make sure paint has properly dried before using a newly-painted room.
- Dry-washing outside, or make sure windows are open if you have to dry it inside.
- If you have a shower curtain, change it regularly. Avoid vinyl shower curtains, as the material harbors water and creates mold.
For more information and to schedule an appointment for a complete health evaluation for your home. Call us. 406-871-6282.
