Air Pollution - Your House May Be Harming Your Family Articles | Environment

By: Matthew Hick

Kitchen cabinets, furniture, perfume, even candles and air fresheners – they can all contribute to the air pollution in our homes.

Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the average American home may be five times greater than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city air.

Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, structural materials, mold, and even simple household dust can make us sick.

Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and grooming supplies can also be hazardous when build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the glue that holds 90% of today’s furniture together contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some people.

Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, which were used in most homes, built before the 1980’s. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all substances that are impossible to detect without proper testing.

When trying to safeguard your home against indoor pollution, follow these simple tips:

• Use pump bottles for cleaning supplies instead of spray cans. They spray less fumes and are easier to direct. 
• Add more ventilation, or simply open your doors and windows more often to help air out the indoor pollution.
• Hire environmental testers to check for things like radon, lead and asbestos. 
• Use “green” cleaning products. They’re cheaper and easy to make. Try these recipes for some common household cleaning jobs:

All Purpose Cleaner:
-1 qt. warm water
-1 tsp. liquid hand soap
-¼ tsp. lemon juice

Works well on floors, countertops, rugs and upholstery

Oven Cleaner:
Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the morning wipe clean with clear water.

Furniture Polish:
-1 pt. mineral oil
-1 tsp. lemon juice

Caustic household cleaners and chemicals ma be the #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic substances, according to research done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. They make us sick and they damage the environment. When you have to use a caustic substance around your home, remember two important tips: 

• Know how to use them properly: Always use caustic chemicals and cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Use an air mask if possible.
• Know how to dispose of them properly: Improper disposal of household cleaners, paints and other chemicals is the main source of toxic pollution in the United States today.

Follow these tips when getting rid of your household chemicals:

• Never pour any hazard household substance down the drain.
• Keep original containers for ingredient lists and storage.
• Take lids off paint and let dry prior to disposing.
• Take all chemical containers to your local hazardous waste site for disposal.