At Risk in Your Home: 4 Health Dangers Most People Overlook

 

Some dangers found in the home are well-known, such as frayed electric wires or chemicals stored for cleaning. However, there are some items found in the home that pose a danger that many people overlook. These dangers account for over $800 billion in expenses due to death, injury or property damage according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These four common household items can pose a severe risk to you and your family if not used properly.

 

Pressed Wood Products

If you have furnishings made of pressed wood, which is common among furniture purchased from big box outlets such as Ikea, you may have inadvertently added a danger to your home. Pressed wood is created from bits and pieces of logs which are pressed together to form a board. They may be known as particle board and fiberboard. In older homes, paneling may be made of pressed wood as well. In the past, manufacturers have used a glue that contains urea-formaldehyde, which can cause watery, itchy eyes. It can also cause difficulty breathing and an increased risk of asthma attacks. Hot, humid weather may promote the release of formaldehyde, although, as the wood ages, less of the substance is released. Although newer pressed wood products do not contain the dangerous substance, older pre-fabricated and mobile homes or furnishings that are older may still have traces of formaldehyde.

 

Air Fresheners

Although air fresheners keep our home smelling clean and fresh, when used in small, unventilated areas or when they are used excessively, air fresheners can release toxic pollutants. Some air fresheners can contain nitrogen dioxide, which has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice. In addition, some contain paradichlorobenzene and may be hazardous to humans. Although using air fresheners to keep a home smelling clean is not dangerous in itself, over-use or failure to ventilate when using them can pose a danger to those living in the home.

 

Pesticides

Although most people are aware that pesticides can be dangerous, more than 46,000 calls come in to the poison control centers each year. Most of the time, exposure to pesticides occurs indoors as people use over-the-counter products to eliminate pests in the home. Although some over-the-counter products may be effective, it is recommended that homeowners use professional pest control companies to treat household pests. Professional pest control in Woburn, MA, or your particular area can provide you with information on the chemicals they use and will inform you when pets or children should be protected.

 

Cosmetics

Many cosmetics use a product known as plasticizers as the substance increases the durability and flexibility of fragrances while also binding the color of cosmetics. Plasticizers are hormone-like chemicals that have recently been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals. Some states have banned the use of them in toys for children, pacifiers, rattles or teething rings. According to studies, the chemicals have shown to lower sperm count in boys and cause premature breast development in girls.

 

These are only a few hidden dangers in the home that people may not be aware of. In order to keep your family safe from harm, it is important to recognize that even items that are considered safe, such as furniture or air freshener, can have hidden dangers.

 

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Categories: air fresheners, counter products, health dangers, home smelling, people overlook, pest control, pressed wood, professional pest, wood products

A Breath of Fresh Air

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Everyone likes their home to smell nice but sometimes unpleasant odours get the better of us and we have to resort to air fresheners to counteract nasty pongs. The problem with many commercial air fresheners is that they contain a host of differentchemicals which can be bad for both our bodies and for the environment. In fact, some people have linked chemical air fresheners with respiratory problems such as breathlessness or asthma andmanypeople find that synthetic fragrances can trigger headaches.

 

So it makes sense to look for more natural ways to keep your home smelling fresh. The obvious answer is to prevent bad smells occurring in the first place – avoid strong smelling foods, open windows regularly and make sure carpets and upholstery are kept clean. And if you have pets who smell less than sweet – talk to your vet as a change in their grooming routine or diet could make a difference to how they smell.

 

Instead of turning to chemical air fresheners to add fragrance to your rooms, try some natural alternatives. Everyday kitchen ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda or fresh lemons can be used to freshen up kitchens and bathrooms. If you want to make your own sweet-smelling spray take a clean plant spray bottle, fill with cold water, add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil and then spritz away. Alternatively you can use oil burners with essential oils or try scented candles – but make sure to choose ones fragranced with natural, rather than chemical ingredients.

 

For more green household tips, visit: www.greenhousehold.co.uk

 

Categories: air fresheners, chemical air, fresheners, Natural, nbsp, smell, smelling

At Risk in Your Home: 4 Health Dangers Most People Overlook

 

Some dangers found in the home are well-known, such as frayed electric wires or chemicals stored for cleaning. However, there are some items found in the home that pose a danger that many people overlook. These dangers account for over $800 billion in expenses due to death, injury or property damage according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These four common household items can pose a severe risk to you and your family if not used properly.

 

Pressed Wood Products

If you have furnishings made of pressed wood, which is common among furniture purchased from big box outlets such as Ikea, you may have inadvertently added a danger to your home. Pressed wood is created from bits and pieces of logs which are pressed together to form a board. They may be known as particle board and fiberboard. In older homes, paneling may be made of pressed wood as well. In the past, manufacturers have used a glue that contains urea-formaldehyde, which can cause watery, itchy eyes. It can also cause difficulty breathing and an increased risk of asthma attacks. Hot, humid weather may promote the release of formaldehyde, although, as the wood ages, less of the substance is released. Although newer pressed wood products do not contain the dangerous substance, older pre-fabricated and mobile homes or furnishings that are older may still have traces of formaldehyde.

 

Air Fresheners

Although air fresheners keep our home smelling clean and fresh, when used in small, unventilated areas or when they are used excessively, air fresheners can release toxic pollutants. Some air fresheners can contain nitrogen dioxide, which has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice. In addition, some contain paradichlorobenzene and may be hazardous to humans. Although using air fresheners to keep a home smelling clean is not dangerous in itself, over-use or failure to ventilate when using them can pose a danger to those living in the home.

 

Pesticides

Although most people are aware that pesticides can be dangerous, more than 46,000 calls come in to the poison control centers each year. Most of the time, exposure to pesticides occurs indoors as people use over-the-counter products to eliminate pests in the home. Although some over-the-counter products may be effective, it is recommended that homeowners use professional pest control companies to treat household pests. Professional pest control in Woburn, MA, or your particular area can provide you with information on the chemicals they use and will inform you when pets or children should be protected.

 

Cosmetics

Many cosmetics use a product known as plasticizers as the substance increases the durability and flexibility of fragrances while also binding the color of cosmetics. Plasticizers are hormone-like chemicals that have recently been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals. Some states have banned the use of them in toys for children, pacifiers, rattles or teething rings. According to studies, the chemicals have shown to lower sperm count in boys and cause premature breast development in girls.

 

These are only a few hidden dangers in the home that people may not be aware of. In order to keep your family safe from harm, it is important to recognize that even items that are considered safe, such as furniture or air freshener, can have hidden dangers.

 

Categories: air fresheners, cosmetics, formaldehyde, paradichlorobenzene, Pesticides, pressed wood products

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices That Benefit the Planet

We all know that we should be doing more to help the planet, but it isn’t always easy knowing where to begin. There aren’t many of us who can afford to replace our washing machine or dryer to more energy-efficient models. However, it’s not all bad news – even small changes can mount up and make a big difference. If everyone on the planet made these small changes, we could make an enormous impact on global warming. For example, take shorter showers by installing a waterproof timer in your shower. Set it to five minutes, or better yet replace your shower-head with a low-flow or water-saving model.  It’s better for the planet, as switching the shower-head could help you save almost 15000 gallons of water per year. It’s almost better for you, as hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils – you may notice that your skin is better hydrated after you’ve been going with this routine for a while.  You can also  clean clothes at home instead of buying clothes which are dry clean only. This is because cleaners use hazardous chemicals to clean garments – these eventually break down into other chemicals which damage the ozone layer. You may be able to hand wash many dry clean items in cold water, too. This works out better for you too, as these chemicals have been linked to dizziness, nausea, skin irritation and headaches.

 

Air fresheners may make your home smell more pleasant, but they could be causing damage to your health and your surroundings. Indoor air may be up to three times more polluted than outdoor air, so open the windows and let fresh air circulate rather than relying on air fresheners. If you’d rather add a scent to your home, place orange peel and sage leaves in little bowls around the home for a nice smell to each room. Air fresheners contain chemicals which have been linked to birth defects, reproductive problems and hormone abnormalities. Even those which are labelled as unscented or natural aren’t chemical free. They also contain allergens and cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Organic coffee is better for the environment as it uses no pesticides or chemicals which would ordinarily filter into the soil and damage water supplies. They also contain fewer synthetic agents which means that they’re healthier beans for you too. When it comes to your morning shower, skip the liquid soap and opt for the bar form instead. Although they may be more convenient, liquid forms contain triclosan which is toxic to wildlife. It’s also easy to overdo it with liquid varieties, which means your skin can be dried out more easily.

Technology is an easy way to overdo it and waste energy. For example, try switching your computer to sleep instead of leaving it active for ages – you can adjust it to switch itself off to sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity. Animated screen savers use energy and are unnecessary, which means that they’re bad for the planet. Even such a small gesture to environmental wellness can make a difference. Other ways you can improve your carbon footprint is to switch off lights when you’re not in the room, turn off electrical items such as TVs when you’re not using them, and by switching to energy efficient light bulbs and products where you can. While you may think it won’t make a difference, small gestures all add up to make a positive impact on both the planet and on your health too.

Categories: air fresheners, Carbon Footprint, chemicals, energy, energy efficient, Environmental Wellness, Home, planet, shower, shower head, Water

Could Household Products Cause Cancer and Genetic Mutations?

A clean house is essential for preventing various health concerns and ensuring the wellbeing of you and your family, but what if the products you’re cleaning with are more harmful than the mess itself? A lot of household products contain nasty chemicals which may do more blockage than benefit to your wellness, causing major health problems such as cancer, allergies and even genetic mutations. While that may be a tempting route into potential superhero powers, I’m not sure I’d really want to be “Chemical Man”. So let’s look at the major culprits that are affecting your family, as well as a few safer superheroes that you can use in their place:

 

1. Coal-tar driveway sealant: If you seal your own blacktop driveway, you should do so without the use of coal-tar based sealants. This is because these products are packed with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic; in other words, your driveway sealant can cause damage to your body, including cancer and even mutations. This happens when precipitations hit the driveway, as the chemicals run into your local water supply. Therefore, a far better alternative is gravel or other porous materials, as these allow rainwater to sink into the ground, where the water is filtered of chemicals and won’t inundate water treatment facilities.

 

2. Synthetic pesticides: This includes both chemical weed and bug killers, both of which should be avoided inside and outside of your house – even the ones that claim to be “natural”.  Phil Landrigan, MD, director of Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Centre, warns, ‘This is a good time of the year to resolve not to use pesticides on lawns and gardens. A few dandelions or buttercups or other little flowers in the middle of the lawn are not unsightly.’ As herbicides can cause cancer, and insecticides have been connected to brain damage in kids, weed by hand or using organic methods – the extra exercise will help you burn off your winter love handles. For bugs inside your home, a safe cleaning method can be as simple as clearing up crumbs, sealing food in containers, and using wood shims and a caulking gun to fill pest entry points.

 

3. Antibacterial soap: In antibacterial soaps you have a chemical called triclosan, which is thought to disrupt your thyroid function as well as your hormone levels. Moreover, wellness experts believe that if you overuse triclosan and other antibacterial chemicals, what you’re doing is promoting the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibacterial treatment. Good old-fashioned soap and warm water, on the other hand, won’t cause these problems and studies have shown that this method kills just as many germs – no matter what antibacterial soap adverts say. However, if you are desperate to use a hand sanitizer, at least go for one that doesn’t contain triclosan and is alcohol-based.

 

4. Synthetic fragrances: If you use laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies and disinfectants, air fresheners, deodorisers, shampoos, hair sprays, gels, lotions, suns creams, soaps, perfumes, powders, and scented candles, you’re using synthetic fragrances in your home. The term “fragrance” or “parfum” on personal care product labels is often a cover for hundreds of harmful chemicals known to be carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, and reproductive toxicants. Therefore, it’s best to go for unscented products, and avoid all air fresheners and deodoriser. This is recommended by Anne Steinemann, PhD, a University of Washington researcher who focuses on water quality and fragrances in consumer products. She comments, ‘These products do not clean or disinfect the air, but they do add hazardous chemicals to the air we breathe. Instead of chemical air fresheners, freshen the air with better ventilation and by setting out some baking soda.’

Categories: air fresheners, Antibacterial Soap, chemicals, coal tar, driveway sealant, genetic mutations, household products, products, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Pesticides