ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
AIR POLLUTANTS
Air Quality
Air quality is vital for every living organism: humans,
animals and plants. We can choose to not swim in polluted
water, and to purify our drinking water, but we can't
choose not to breathe. Typically, an adult breathes
in 11,000 litres of air everyday.
Airborne Toxins
The main problem with airborne toxins is that they
tend to concentrate indoors; often being 10-20% higher
in density than outdoors. Airborne main toxins include:
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Smoke
Smoke can be from a number of sources:
Burning garden rubbish - producing
tonnes of fine particles, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons;
. the same pollutants that cars produce. Garden fires
also produce a whole range of other toxic and carcinogenic
compounds, including dioxins. These are all dangerous
to our health.
Household fires - in many cities burning
coal has been banned; and in New Zealand one can no
longer install a wood burning fire into a home. Household
fires contribute significantly to air pollution, and
where wet and treated wood is burnt, the toxic effect
of the smoke is extremely damaging to health.
Cigarette Smoke - there are many many
studies that prove that second-hand cigarettes smoke
causes the same health concerns as if one smoked the
cigarette themselves. The developing lungs of young
children are severely affected by exposure to secondhand
smoke.
Reduce Smoke Toxins By:
- Ensuring chimneys and flues that areproperly installed
or maintained.
- Keeping rooms ventilated when fires are being used
- Not burning garden rubbish
- Smoking cigarettes outdoors; and away from other
people.
For information
on home air cleaning systems
Gas Pollutants
The main gas pollutants in households are:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)
- Nitrogen Oxide
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is insidiously dangerous as it is
an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. CO can kill you
before you are aware it is in your home.
Health Effects: At lower levels of
exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken
for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness,
disorientation, nausea and fatigue.
Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges
and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high
concentrations of CO in indoor air. The CPSC Recommends
Carbon Monoxide Alarm for Every Home.
For Further Information:
American
Lung Association Fact Sheet on Carbon Monoxide
Occupational
Safety and Health Administration's Fact Sheet on Carbon
Monoxide (a pdf file)
U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute
of Health "Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning"
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
The two most prevalent oxides of nitrogen are nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO). Both are toxic
gases with NO2 being a highly reactive and corrosive
oxidant. The primary sources indoors are unvented combustion
appliances: gas stoves, vented appliances with defective
installations, welding, and tobacco smoke.
Main Sources of CO2 and NO2 - Unvented kerosene and
gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting
from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces;
gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment;
automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco
smoke.
Health Effects: eye, nose, and throat
irritation. May cause impaired lung function and increased
respiratory infections in young children.
CO2 and NO2 Toxins may be reduced in the home by:
- Keeping gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Using a vented space heater
- Using proper fuel in kerosene space heaters
- Using exhaust fans vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Opening flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Choosing properly sized wood stoves that are certified
to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that
doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
- Having a trained professional inspect, clean, and
tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and
chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
- Not idling the car inside garage.
Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)
Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are emitted as gases
from certain solids or liquids such as: paints and lacquers,
paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building
materials and furnishings, office equipment such as
copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless
copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues
and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in
household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain
organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting,
cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are
made up of organic chemicals. All of these products
can release organic compounds while you are using them,
and, to some degree, when they are stored.
Health Effects: VOC's cause: eye,
nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination,
nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous
system. Some organics are suspected of causing cancer
in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure
to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat
discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea,
nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.
Reduce VOC Toxins By:
- Keeping out of reach of children and pets.
- Using household products according to manufacturer's
directions. [Masks and Gloves]
- Making sure you provide plenty of fresh air when
using these products.
- Throwing away unused or little-used containers
safely.
- Never mixing household care products unless directed
on the label.
Air
Cleaner
For information
on home air cleaning systems
Biological Contaminants
Biological Contaminants include bacteria, molds, mildew,
viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, mites,
cockroaches, and pollen.
Reduce Bilogicial contaminants by:
- Controlling the relative humidity level in a home,
the growth of some sources of biologicals can be minimized.
A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally
recommended for homes.
- Avoiding standing water, water-damaged materials,
or wet surfaces also serve as a breeding ground for
molds, mildews, bacteria, and insects.
- Keeping the house clean, dry and ventilated - house
dust mites, the source of one of the most powerful
biological allergens, grow in damp, warm environments.
- Keeing humidifiers, home heating and cooling systems
clean - some diseases, like humidifier fever, are
associated with exposure to toxins from microorganisms
that can grow in large building ventilation systems.
However, these diseases can also be traced to microorganisms
that grow in home heating and cooling systems and
humidifiers.
For
more information on reducing exposure to biological
contaminants
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on home air cleaning systems
Asbestos
The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to
be visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain
and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung
cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal
linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring
that can be fatal).
Asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in
pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles,
millboard, textured paints and other coating materials,
and floor tiles.
For Information on Prevention
and Toxic Substances Asbestos
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on home air cleaning systems
Lead
In 1991, Lead was named as the "number one environmental
threat to the health of children in the United States."
Humans are exposed to lead through air, drinking water,
food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust.
Before it was known how harmful lead could be, it
was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and many other
products. When lead-based paint is improperly removed
from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame
burning, high concentrations of airborne lead particles
are released into the home. Lead dust can also be from
outdoor sources, including contaminated soil tracked
inside, and use of lead in certain indoor activities
such as soldering and stained-glass making.
To Reduce Exposure to Lead Toxins:
- Avoid disturbing lead-based paint undisturbed if
it is in good condition; do not sand or burn off paint
that may contain lead.
- Do not remove lead paint yourself.
- Do not bring lead dust into the home. Change clothes
and use doormats before entering your home.
- Eat a balanced diet, rich in calcium and iron.
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on home air cleaning systems
Pesticides
A recent survey revealed that 75% of U.S. households
used at least one pesticide product indoors during the
past year. Products used most often are insecticides
and disinfectants.
Pesticides used in and around the home include products
to control insects [insecticides]), termites [termiticides],
rodents [rodenticides], fungi [fungicides], and microbes
[disinfectants]. They are sold as sprays, liquids, sticks,
powders, crystals, balls, and foggers.
Health Effects: Irritation to eye,
nose, and throat; damage to central nervous system and
kidney; increased risk of cancer. Symptoms may include
headache, dizziness, muscular weakness, and nausea.
Chronic exposure to some pesticides can result in damage
to the liver, kidneys, endocrine and nervous systems.
To Reduce Pesticide Toxins in the Home:
- Use strictly according to manufacturer's directions.
- Mix or dilute outdoors.
- Apply only in recommended quantities.
- Increase ventilation when using indoors. Take plants
or pets outdoors when applying pesticides/flea and
tick treatments.
- Use non-chemical methods of pest control where
possible.
- If you use a pest control company, select it carefully.
- Do not store unneeded pesticides inside home; dispose
of unwanted containers safely.
- Store clothes with moth repellents in separately
ventilated areas, if possible
Recommended Products
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