Clean Up Indoor Air with These Plants Pick up these natural air allies from your local nursery: philodendrons, spider plants, and ivy. They are just a few of the green friends that can help scrub harmful compounds from household air. Just one plant per 100 square feet of living space will help absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Problem with VOCs VOCs are everywhere. Carpet, paint, foam insulation, household cleaners, air fresheners, and even cosmetics contain them. And, unfortunately, exposure to these toxins has been cited for causing fatigue, headaches, asthma, and allergies in certain people. Could your indoor air be poisoning you? Find out by reading this article. Love Your Lungs Your lungs do a lot for you, from helping you raise your voice over the neighbor’s lawn mower to giving you the O2 you need to mow your own lawn. So why not treat your lungs with kid gloves? Here are some other things that your lungs love: Sunshine. Okay, the sun can’t really shine on your lungs. But they do love the sunshine vitamin. Find out how much. Cabbage. Yep, there’s nothing like some good old sauerkraut, as far as your lungs are concerned. Here’s why. Peanut butter. Give your lungs a creamy, sweet blast of this kid favorite -- they’ll thank you for it. It’s all because of a certain vitamin. Feeling breathless? Read this article for a simple three-step plan for breathing better. Real Age Benefit: Exposure to air pollution and environmental toxins can make your Real Age as much as 2.8 years older. Find out whether disease-causing agents are lurking behind your front door Ahhh, home at last. Time to unwind, kick off your shoes, and take a deep breath of . . . pollution? Yep. Indoor pollution. You may be surprised to know that indoor air -- in homes and other buildings -- can be more polluted than outdoor air, even in big cities and industrialized areas. And the average home contains hundreds of Feeling irritable or tired? Having difficulty concentrating? These symptoms, along with frequent headaches or itchy eyes, may be a sign that youre suffering from the effects of indoor pollutants. Take the quiz below to sniff out the culprits and healthy-up your home. Sources of potentially harmful pollutants, from cleaning supplies to carpets. So how concerned should you be? It depends on your particular situation and how you conduct yourself around the known problem substances. By and large, theres probably no need to be frightened of the air in your own home if you take a few commonsense steps when problematic substances are involved. Which Ones May Pose Problems? Some indoor pollutants are more dangerous than others. But, the health risks associated with indoor air pollution are related to the levels youre exposed to and the amount of time youre exposed to them, so limiting those aspects of your exposure is key. Were all exposed to pollutants, indoor and outdoor, every day. But weve evolved to tolerate low levels of exposure, though some people may be more sensitive than others. For the most part, you can rest assured -- evidence suggests youd have to breathe in unusually high levels of household pollutants for an extended period of time to suffer serious, long-term health effects. And in an average home, thats unlikely to happen. But for people who are sensitive to chemicals and allergens, even low levels in the home can trigger irritating and uncomfortable reactions. And some pollutants, like carbon monoxide, can be lethal. So dont let your home wreak havoc with your health. Put your pollution radar to the test with this RealAge quiz, and find out how you can minimize your exposure to common household pollutants. Formaldehyde : This pungent pollutant can be found in most homes, but can you identify its source? Cosmetics Glues and adhesives Pressed-wood furniture, shelving, or paneling Insulation materials All of the above If you buy pressed-wood products, look for those that conform to low emissions standards. Agency stamps that certify such products include: ANSI, HPMA, CPA, NPA and HPVA. For more information on formaldehyde and cancer, read this statement from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Which of the following household products is likely to contain VOCs? Air fresheners Tap water Dry-cleaned clothing None of the above All of the above VOCs are present in thousands of products. And although they pollute both indoor and outdoor air, VOC levels are typically much higher indoors. Like formaldehyde, VOC levels vary from home to home and from room to room within a house. Factors linked to elevated levels of VOCs include indoor painting within the previous 12 months, new carpet, indoor smoking, and new furniture. Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that people may be exposed to elevated levels of VOCs while theyre using products that contain them. Hundreds of items found in the average home may contain VOCs. Check out the table below for a list of common sources of VOCs in the home. Household Sources of VOCs Paint, paint strippers, and glues These products are likely to contain benzene, methylene chloride, or trichloroethelyne. Dry-cleaned clothing or fabrics Perchloroethylene (Perc) is used in dry cleaning. It evaporates slowly at room temperature and may linger on recently dry-cleaned items. Air fresheners, cleaning supplies, mothballs, and moth repellants Dichlorobenzene is the main ingredient in mothballs and some bathroom deodorizers. It also may be found in some cleaning supplies. Viz. Water: tap water, swimming pools, and hot tubs Most municipal water supplies, as well as swimming pools and hot tubs, are treated with chlorine as a disinfectant. When chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in the water, it can create chloroform as a by-product. So What Might They Do to You? Immediate health effects of exposure to high levels of VOCs may include ear, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; dizziness; nausea; fatigue; loss of coordination; and allergic skin reactions. And results from a study of young children suggest that exposure to elevated levels of VOCs in the home may be linked to an increased risk of childhood asthma. In high doses, some VOCs have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. But typical home levels are well below those associated with this risk. Still, avoiding concentrated exposure to sources of VOCs in the home is a commonsense move that can prevent both short-term reactions and long-term health consequences. Find out more about carcinogens, and how they are classified, from the American Cancer Society. Unlike pungent VOC pollutants, some other indoor air pollutants are entirely odorless. Answer the next question to learn more about what you cant smell. Radon Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America; the cancer risks from radon exposure are particularly relevant for people who smoke. But do you know where radon comes from? Radiators Fluorescent lighting Soil and groundwater Wood-burning stoves or fireplaces All of the above Biological Baddies Biological pollutants, such as dust mites, pollen, and animal dander, can trigger allergic reactions and symptoms similar to hay fever. Do you know where these irritants are most likely to be lurking in your home? Carpets and rugs Fluffy toys Beds and bedding Air-conditioning systems All of the above Wondering whats irritating your nose? Take the RealAge Stuffy or Runny Nose Quiz to help clear things up. Five Steps to a Healthier Home 1. When there is a good alternative, avoid buying products that contain high levels of formaldehyde or other VOCs. For example, try solid wood or stainless steel if someone in your home is sensitive to formaldehyde. When possible, choose cleansers that have low VOC levels. Also, store materials with high VOC levels -- such as paints and solvents -- in the garage instead of the house. And keep cleaners, paints, and solvents tightly sealed when not in use. 2. Keep your home well ventilated, especially when putting up wallpaper; doing any varnishing or painting; using cleansers or solvents; bringing new pressed-wood furniture into your home; hanging freshly dry-cleaned drapes; or even when painting your nails. Open doors and windows to let fresh air in and help disperse fumes. And keep the indoor temperature moderate to minimize formaldehyde emissions. To the extent that the water in your area is chlorinated, it may contain low levels of chlorination by-products such as chloroform. Low levels are not considered to be harmful, but if your water has a strong chlorine smell, you may want to open a window or turn on the exhaust fan when taking a hot shower or bath. 3. Test your home for radon. You can test for radon yourself or hire a qualified radon tester to do it for you. Radon test kits are available at most hardware stores. The National Safety Council (NSC) also sells short-term and long-term test kits that meet all EPA requirements. Use this National Safety Council test kit coupon. If youd prefer to have a professional test your home, the EPA can help you find a qualified radon tester in your area. Go here for more information. If your home has elevated levels of radon, take action. There are several fix-it options available to reduce the amount of radon in your house. Check out this Consumers Guide to Radon Reduction from the EPA. 4. Dust and vacuum your home frequently if someone in your home has active allergies. Dust mites thrive in beds, bedding, and upholstered furniture, so make sure you vacuum those as well as the floor. Keep in mind, however, that cleaning can momentarily increase the allergens in the air. If you have severe allergies or asthma, have someone else do the dusting and vacuuming, throw open all the windows, and wait a couple of hours before returning to the house. You may want to consider investing in a HEPA-filter vacuum. HEPA vacuums improve air quality and reduce both allergens and allergic reactions. 5. Dont let moisture or humidity build up anywhere. Mold and dust mites flourish in warm, moist environments, and heat and humidity can increase formaldehyde emissions. Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to help keep humidity levels low. If you use an air conditioner, humidifier, or dehumidifier, make sure its well maintained and cleaned regularly. And if you find mold in your home, clean it up immediately. Mold needs water to grow, so try to identify the source of the moisture. If a leak, pooling water, or excess condensation is feeding the mold, fix the problem to prevent the mold from returning. A Breath of Fresh Air You look after your body by eating a healthful diet, exercising, and getting preventive screenings. Dont overlook the spaces in which you live, work, and play when patrolling your health. Although its unrealistic -- and unnecessary -- to try to rid your home of pollutants entirely, keeping the levels of potentially harmful gases, chemicals, and allergens in your home to a minimum may improve your day-to-day health and well-being. RA Reviewed by Real Age staff: April 2007 For more information on indoor pollutants, including lead and carbon monoxide, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:29:38 +0000
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