How Healthy Is Your Home?

By Jaye Lewis

Breathing. We take it for granted. It's involuntary. We breathe in, we breathe out. How complicated is that? Well, what we don't know about the indoor air that we breathe can make us and our family sick, at the very least. At worst it can kill us.

A sudden, acute asthma attack can kill a child in as little as fifteen minutes. Allergy symptoms can bring on deadly anaphylactic shock. These attacks can be brought on by fumes, pesticides, cigarette smoke, even a new plastic shower curtain. So how can we ensure that our indoor air is healthy? How can we protect our family within the walls of our home?

The following are 20 ways that we can insure indoor health, and perhaps even save a life:

1. Wood by-products, such as fiberboard cabinetry, pressed wood furniture, plywood sub-flooring, (even new carpeting) contain urea formaldehyde (UF), which releases volatile organic compounds (VOC). They are toxic to sensitive people. An asthmatic child or someone with allergies can have a life threatening attack. Look for products that are solid wood or are UF free. If you must use these products, air out your home. Make certain that you have plenty of air-circulation. Over time VOC's dissipate; however it is better to use the safer products to begin with.
2. New carpeting with its eye-stinging, nose-running fumes, can also cause terrible reactions in anyone with allergies or asthma. It is recommended that you air out a room for up to 72 hours after the carpet is laid. Again make certain that the room has good ventilation. Vinyl, hardwood, cork or tile floors are healthier choices.
3. Use treated fabric shower curtains instead of plastic. If you must use plastic, air the curtain out in the garage for a few days, so that the VOC’s will dissipate.
4. Outdoor pesticides and chemical fertilizers, even the natural products, can be tracked indoors from outside. Landscape with disease resistant trees, shrubs and plants, so that you will need to use fewer chemicals in your yard. Add water features to your gardens; plant native plants and a wild-flower meadow, even a small one, to attract birds and beneficial insects.
5. Install a whole house humidifier (about $400) to combat dry winter air. Attached to your central heat and air unit, this will keep the humidity of your home at a healthy 44 percent, also reducing static electricity. It also helps control dry coughing, sinus problems and dry skin.
6. For indoor painting, choose low-odor, low-toxic, water-based paints, caulks and adhesives. These products have low emissions of VOC's and stop releasing chemicals quickly. Check the label, which should say low-toxic or low-odor. As an asthmatic, I have found these products very reliable and asthma and allergy friendly.
7. Keep your fireplace and chimney clean. After a time, soot can build up within a chimney, catch fire and burn your house down. Have the chimney cleaned by a professional chimney-sweep once a year. Always use clean, dry, seasoned hardwood, such as oak. Greenwood and an improperly laid fire will smoke. An improperly cleaned chimney can release carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless, invisible gas.
8. Install a carbon-monoxide detector in your home. A leaky chimney, furnace, or wood stove can give off an odorless, invisible gas that will poison the entire house, and it is deadly. A properly installed detector with fresh batteries will warn your family to leave the house in safety. Most fire departments will give you the advice and assistance that you need.
9. Install smoke detectors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing all detectors near sleeping areas. Remember to install fresh batteries, frequently.
10. Preventing mold and mildew is essential. Never allow your home humidity to go higher than 44 percent, as humidity grows mold. Install vapor barriers in your basement. Use mildew resistant paint, and install a dehumidifier. Keep the air moving by installing a hepa-filter air cleaner. Make certain that outside gutters and drain spouts direct water away from the house.
11. For home improvement, consider using moisture-resistant gypsum panels instead of drywall. Specially coated for moisture resistance, these modern day miracle products resist moisture and mold from both sides. They also are fire-retardant.
12. Keep the air moving. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. Install a range hood which removes air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide that are generated during the cooking process. Bathroom fans reduce condensation and water vapor from the bathroom, which can lead to the growth of mold.
13. Install a whole house water purifier, or at least an under the kitchen sink model for drinking water. These miraculous devices remove pollutants, such as asbestos, radium and lead, along with pesticides and harmful bacteria.
14. Open the windows in mild weather to let in fresh air, such as after a good spring rain. Outside pollutants are lowest in the morning and evening. When the air is washed clean, nothing smells better than good fresh air.
15. Install a home ventilation system, so that you can keep up a healthy air exchange. Installing a whole house air cleaning unit, in addition to your central heat and air, will keep your family healthier. These new add-ons can remove up to 99 percent of air-born allergens, dust, and pet dander. Your lungs will thank you.
16. Window treatments should be simple and washable. Avoid heavily textured draperies and blinds.
17. Collectibles, DVD’s, CD’s and books can harbor dust and grime. Display them behind closed glass doors. This will protect your treasures, as well as your family.
18. In the bedroom, place allergy covers on pillows and mattresses. Wash linens in hot water and dry on high heat, at least once a week. Consider a removable cover for comforters and quilts, which can be washed frequently.
19. When using cleaning products, make certain that your room is ventilated, and store them safely. White vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are safe natural products, which seldom cause a reaction. Never mix any cleaning products, especially chlorine bleach and ammonia - doing that creates a deadly chlorine gas.
20. Keep flowers and all vegetative decorations out of the house. Not only will they create dust and pollen, but the perfume and pollen can become life threatening for someone with allergies and asthma.

Remember, use wisdom in choosing cleaning products, and always read the label. The cleaner your home, the healthier your family will be. Keep things simple, and keep it safe.

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