Does cleaning leave your house squeaky clean – or contaminated with toxins?
Many cleaning products cut through grease, leave wood furniture or ceramic tile lemon-scented, and shine brass or chrome – with a price. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), organic chemicals that become gases at room temperature, commonly float into the air as we dust, wax, and polish. Even air fresheners are among the culprits. VOCs can cause a number of symptoms, from headaches and irritated eyes or lungs to central nervous system disorders and cancer. Research knowledge is expanding in this area. For instance, a recent study found that the use of spray cleaners at least once a week was related to asthma symptoms. Wheezing increased when exposure went up to several times weekly.
Cleaning products are just one source of VOCs. Paints, adhesives, and solvents release them, too. That relaxing hobby or home decorating project may just become a health threat without safety measures. Clothes fresh from the dry cleaner give off toxic fumes and should be aired out as much as possible before going into the confines of your closet where contaminants might become concentrated.
Even the obvious threats to air quality at home must be treated with extra care. You know that pesticides can be dangerous, right? After all, “-cide” means “to kill.” Sprays, foggers, and powders go after everything from insects and rodents to bacteria and mold, but they can be dangerous to humans as well. We get 80% of our exposure to pesticides at home. You might be surprised to learn that actually using pesticides accounts for only part of that exposure; even pesticides stored in your house can get into the air supply. Furnishings treated with these chemicals give off VOCs, and pesticides get tracked in from outside as well.
Heating systems, stoves, water heaters, dryers, and fireplaces that burn gas, fuel, or wood give off toxins like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Both of these gases are invisible and odorless, and if they become concentrated indoors can cause serious health issues. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can kill. Combustion can also give off dangerous particles; the air in homes with wood stoves or fireplaces often holds excessive levels of particulates. Wood smoke contains at least five chemical groups classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). And the use of wood fuel may go up. In the face of global warming, more people may turn from fossil fuels to wood, a relatively inexpensive renewable resource. Second-hand cigarette smoke also adds to the load of toxins in indoor air. ....read more
