Home"?
Indoor Air Pollution
constant onslaught of harmful chemicals in the environment?
The first thing to do is to educate yourself on this issue. Visit the World
Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency websites
from the links provided on the first page of this article, and watch the
documentary "Toxic Brew" to learn more about the hazards associated
with home cleaning products. There is also a list of references that I used
in researching this topic at the end of this page.
The American Lung Association recommends the following steps to help
create a healthy home environment:
1) Declare your home a smoke-free zone. Secondhand smoke can cause
serious health problems, especially for children. Ask smokers to take it
outside.
2) Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. Leave doors between
rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows
when possible to allow for a good supply of outdoor air. Install exhaust
fans in bathrooms to remove moisture and chemicals from the house.
3) Keep humidity levels low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as
needed. Clean both regularly so they don't become a source of pollutants
themselves. Fix all leaks and drips in the home, as standing water and
high humidity encourages the growth of mold and other biological
pollutants.
4) To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, have all fuel burning
appliances inspected by a qualified technician once a year. Install a
carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping rooms.
5) To keep dust mites and other allergens to a minimum, clean
regularly. Wash bedding materials in hot water (at least 130°). Consider
replacing carpet with area rugs that can be taken up and washed often.
6) Fit your gas range with a hood fan that exhausts the air outside. Use
the fan or open a window when cooking to remove gas fumes.
7) Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic
ingredients, and use according to manufacturers directions. Keep your
home well ventilated when using these products. Consider switching to
less toxic alternatives.
8) Test your home for radon. Use a radon test kit labeled "Meets EPA
requirements".
9) Never leave a car or lawn mower running in an attached garage or
shed. Avoid the use of unvented heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
10) Visit the American Lung Association website for more information
on environmental health. (Click here)
using harmful chemicals in the first place, you eliminate the adverse
health effects associated with them. But where do you find these better,
safer alternatives?
In August of 2003, I was introduced to a line of environmentally friendly,
safer home cleaning, laundry and personal care products. Of course I
was skeptical at first but decided to try them anyways (and this is before
I began my research into environmental medicine issues) since I had
nothing to lose by doing so. It turned out to be one of the best decisions
of my life.
The products work better than I ever expected and are much safer for my
house and the environment. My wife loves them too (which is very
important) and we decided we would never to go back to store-bought
brands. And in addition to the health benefits of using these exceptional
products, there is also an excellent opportunity (which is totally
optional) to earn an extra income by referring others.
them and the unique opportunity to earn an extra income by referring others, you can view an
online presentation at either of these two websites:
www.achievingyourdreams.info (women, especially mothers) TEMPORARILY OFFLINE
www.prosperfromhome.info (men and women)
DIRECTIONS: Click on "Take a Tour" to get an overview of our team. Next, click on "Guest
Area" (at the bottom of the screen) and a box will pop up requesting and ID and password. Use
the ID "guest" and the password "guest". Once you are at the guest site you can view the NEW
HORIZONS slide show with or without audio (make sure your volume and wave volume
controls are not turned off or you will not be able to hear the narrator).
Feel free to request more information directly from either website, or email me at
drjohn@healthyhomesforkidsandpets.com.
More About Chemical Pollution; Is This Your Child?, Doris Rapp, M.D.
Environmental Medicine for Veterinary Practitioners; Complimentary and
Alternative Veterinary Medicine, Principles and Practice, Schoen and
Wynn.
A Brief Guide to Indoor Air Pollutants and Relevance to Small Animals; Kirk's
Current Veterinary Therapy XII, Dye and Costa.
Indoor Environmental Quality and Health; Small Animal Toxicology,
Sullivan, et al.
Common Household Chemical Hazards; Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy
XII, Dorman and Clark.
Common Indoor Toxicants; Small Animal Toxicology, Kore.
Hazardous Household Products; Mississippi State University Extension
Service, www.msucares.com/pubs/publications/pub1756.htm
Pesticides and Child Safety; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/childsaf.htm
Is Your Home a Healthy Home?; The Melaleuca Wellness Guide, Beaulieu.