As people make the shift to cleaner living, they must consider their homes in the equation. Unfortunately, our homes may be filled with toxins, pollutants, and other hazards that can make us sick. If your family experiences asthma and allergy symptoms, frequent rashes, and persistent headaches, you may need to look into the health risks posed by your home. We share tips for eliminating them here.
Determine Whether Your Home has Asbestos
Unfortunately, many homes built before 1980 were built with materials containing asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency determined that people who inhale asbestos fibers have a higher risk of developing lung diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Asbestos was used in ceiling tiles, air duct insulation, drywall tape and joint compound, textured paints and plasters, furnace insulation, linoleum, and vinyl flooring.
Exposure to asbestos occurs if you disturb materials made of it or remodel your home and disturb asbestos-containing materials. Many people have health problems because the acoustic ceiling spray found in homes before 1978 is so easily disturbed; asbestos fibers are released from the spray and settle on clothing, carpeting, and furniture and float through the air.
If you know that your home contains asbestos, you should contact a licensed and certified hazardous material contractor. The contractor will handle the asbestos abatement process and safely remove the asbestos from your home and make sure that it is safe to enter.
Get a Handle on the Volatile Organic Compounds Inside Your Home
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are responsible for much of the air pollution inside homes. VOCs release gases into the air we breathe. Sadly, VOCs such as formaldehyde, propane, butane, and acetone are in common products like paints, adhesives, carpet, plastics, and cleaning and personal care products.
You can begin eliminating the amount of VOCs in your home by carefully reading labels when you shop. Select carpeting that is Green Label Plus certified, opt for formaldehyde-free cabinets and furniture made of composite wood, choose zero-VOC paints, sealants, and adhesives, and look for products that are low-emissions certified by GreenGuard or Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Itâs also a good idea to choose natural or low-toxic cleaning products.
Other ways of eliminating VOCs in your home include using paints, solvents, cleaners, and harsh chemicals in safe ways. Be sure to open windows and ventilate your work area when you use them. When you are finished using them, be sure to properly seal them and store them in an outside shed or garage if possible.Â
Donât run your car in your garage and tightly seal the door between your house and garage if you have an attached garage. Itâs also essential for you to ban smoking in your home because tobacco smoke contains the VOC benzene that is linked to leukemia.
Test and Filter Your Tap Water
Even if you are on municipal water, you should test your water to be aware of the contaminants and chemicals it contains. Of course, private well users should regularly check for bacteria in the water. Itâs also a good idea to ask your local health department about concerns regarding contaminants in your area. You may ask a local lab to test your water for you, or you can purchase a home kit and do it yourself.
Many people opt to be safe rather than sorry and install a filter on their tap or their main water supply. Water filters reduce pollutants from water pipes, pesticides and chemicals from runoff, and other impurities typically found in drinking water. Filtering your water is much better than purchasing bottled water because bottled water may contain just as many contaminants as your tap water and you do not help the environment when you purchase bottled water in plastic bottles.
You can eliminate some of the more serious health risks posed by your home if you determine whether you have asbestos, control the amount of VOCs inside your home, and test and filter your tap water.
Laura Pearson and Edutude strive hard to find unique, creative ways for parents and educators to encourage students to be challenged, motivated and excited by learning. Ms. Pearson believes that education doesnât have to adhere to the rigid curriculum requirements that are often implemented in classrooms.
