Since we spend about 90% of our lives indoors, the air quality inside your house is as important as the air quality outdoors. We purchase products everyday, like air fresheners, draperies, shampoos, TV sets which add harmful chemicals to the air inside the home. In our tightly sealed homes, we have not only allergens like mold, dander and pollen, but many fragrances and pollutants from household goods.
Indoor chemicals have been linked to learning disabilities, allergies, asthma, birth defects and disability in children. Formaldehyde in solvents from fresh paint, and phthalates which are used in soft plastics and fragrances are connected to air quality.
Phthalates are put into air fresheners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, shampoos and other products under the term of fragrance, Instead of disappearing quickly they stick to household dust which can be inhaled or ingested and can cause allergies or asthma.
Toss out the air fresheners and open your windows. Eliminate dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Using baking soda in the rinse water will soften fabric and stop static cling.
Formaldehyde is released for years from pressed wood items like cabinets and tables. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that escapes easily into the air. Other VOCs are emitted from glues used in furniture and some brands of paint.
Picking products made from solid wood and natural fibers is best. You can also pick low or no-VOC paint.
Flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ether’s (PBDEs) are causing hyperactivity and learning problems and has shown up in breast milk. PBDEs are found in the dust around your computers and television sets. Children are found with the highest exposure as crawling on the floor exposes them to more dust.
Vacuum regularly and turn off the televisions and computers when not using them. When they are warm, they release more PBDE.
Improving the air quality in your home is imperative to your good health.
