Steps to Reduce Exposure to Household Toxins

All about reducing household toxins in your home ...

Did you know that the concentration of toxins inside your home is 5 to 10 times higher than it is outdoors? Of course, we would be remiss if we didn't state that neither indoor nor outdoor toxins offer the body any health enhancing benefits.

Before we delve into household toxins, let's briefly go over some facts about these so called lifestyle enhancing chemicals:

1. Each year an estimated seven billion pounds of toxins and chemical agents are added to the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.

2. Our cells contain 400 new toxins that did not exist 45 years ago.

3. Among other harmful metals and chemicals in our water, trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs are now present in our drinking water. While there is limited information on how these drugs affect human health, we believe that every tiny bit of toxin in our water affects our health. In fact, according to the well renowned "How to Survive on a Toxic Planet" by Dr. Steve Nugent:

"A researcher from Michigan State University named Shane Snyder went to Lake Mead in Nevada, which is the primary water source for that entire region. He studied the fish in Lake Mead and conducted the same test 30 times to ensure that his data was correct. He found that the level of estrogen – not xenoestrogens like dioxin or PCBs, but pharmaceutical estrogen like birth control pills - was so high in the Lake Mead that male fish were reproducing female egg protein. Common sense tells us that male fish shouldn't be doing that."

4. Is DDT really gone in the U.S.? You be the judge! There are nations around the world that currently have no restrictions on DDT. Some of these nations' produce grapes for example, that we consume off-season. In addition, how many of us drink world wines?

5. Some experts point out that the majority of dangerous toxins that we breathe continuously on a daily bases are those that we can't see or even smell.

While this list is not near exhaustive about the facts on these so to speak lifestyle enhancing chemicals, our point really is that just because you can't see it doesn't mean that it can't hurt you.

Moreover, what we do know is that chronic illness and disease are skyrocketing even among the youngest of children. We also know that stress, fighting toxins, and are modern day diet, which consist of junk food, processed foods, and high levels of preservatives and additives all have a negative impact on the immune system. It's no wander our bodies are beginning to break down.

Here are just a few common health effects on household toxins:

  • Cancer
  • Lower immune system function
  • Lower IQ
  • Induce asthma, allergies, headache, and fatigue
  • May affect the nervous system
  • There is evidence of organ damage in infants
  • Some are known to contribute to heart disease

    To learn more about the household toxins and the effects it has on your health click here. Household Toxins and Health Effects.

    We do realize that there is not much you can do to control outdoor toxins. However, there is a lot you can do about controlling household toxins.

    So, what's the solution?.....

    The first step is to realize that your home may be making you and your family sick. Do not be fooled and think that because you cannot see, smell, or taste these household toxins that it does not exist. It's also important to note that gauging your health on the simple fact that you feel fine so you must be healthy may not be an accurate picture of you're health.

    The second step is to remove or reduce these household toxins from your home. Please see below the many tips on how to start protecting you and your family's health.

    The third step is to eat a healthy diet, exercise, drink fresh clean water, and consider taking nutritional supplements. Why should you take supplements if you eat a healthy diet? Quite honestly, it is one of the most powerful arguments among health professionals, but we along with many experts believe commercial farming which consist of pesticides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers comes with a price. The cost is the loss of nutritional value of our crops along with toxins. According to the 1992 Earth Summit Soil Mineral Depletion Analysis, the United States has the worst soil in the world – 85% mineral depleted.

    Moreover, mass production of fruits and vegetables has robbed us of even more essential nutrients because premature harvesting does not allow them to reach their natural peak of nutrition. Foods are often picked before they are ripe and allowed to ripen in transit. In addition, heat (cooking) destroys many valuable nutrients in food, which is why many experts recommend eating a diet high in raw foods whenever appropriate.

    Here's food for thought. Two peaches back in 1951 would have provided the current RDA requirements of vitamin A for adult women. Today, a woman would have to consume almost 53 peaches to meet her daily requirements of vitamin A.

    In addition, psychological and physical stress depletes the body of even more vital nutrients. Therefore, we believe given all of these harsh challenges one really should consider taking supplements for optimal health.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Keep gas appliances such as dryers and stoves properly adjusted.
  • Consider purchasing a vented space heater, especially when replacing one that is unvented.
  • Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
  • Install and use an exhaust fan over gas stoves - vented to outdoors.
  • Make sure to open flues when fireplaces are in use.
  • Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make sure that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
  • Have central air and heating systems (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) inspected, cleaned, and tuned-up annually by a trained professional. Make certain to promptly repair any cracks, leaks, or damaged parts.
  • Never idle the car inside a garage.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure To Lead

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition.
  • Do not sand or burn off paint that may contain lead.
  • Keep areas where children play as dust-free and clean as possible. Mop floors and wipe window ledges and chewable surfaces such as cribs with a solution of powdered automatic dishwasher detergent in warm water.
  • Do not bring lead dust into the home. Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead dust. If your work or hobby involves lead, change your clothes and shoes before entering your home.
  • Do not attempt to remove lead-based paint yourself. Families have been poisoned by renovation and paint removal activities that have been done improperly. Hire a person with special training for correcting lead paint problems. Occupants, especially pregnant women and children, should leave the building until all work is finished and clean up is done.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure To Asbestos

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • You may have asbestos-containing substances in your home or office, especially those built before 1978. If the material is in good condition, leave it alone! Material in good condition will not release asbestos fiber. There is no danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.
  • Do not tear, rip, or sand asbestos-containing material.
  • Repair usually involves either sealing or covering asbestos material. Sealing involves coating materials so that asbestos is sealed in. This process is only effective for undamaged asbestos-containing substances.
  • If materials are soft or crumbly or otherwise damaged, sealing is not appropriate. Covering involves placing something over or around the material that contains asbestos to prevent release of fibers.
  • Removal is complex, and should be done only by a contractor with special training. Improper removal may increase the health risks to those exposed!
  • Have a professional remove or repair asbestos.

    Call the EPA's TSCA assistance line at (202) 554-1404 to find out if your state has a training or certification program for asbestos removal contractors and for information on EPA's asbestos programs.(www.epa.gov/asbestos)

    Steps to Reduce Exposure To Radon

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Measure levels of radon in your home. You can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if you have a problem or not. There are many inexpensive do-it-yourself test kits you can purchase from hardware stores, mail, and retail stores. The EPA recommends that consumers use state-certified or have met the requirements of some national radon proficiency program. For more details go to the EPA's Radon Web site.
  • Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. The EPA Radon Contractor proficiency (RCP) Program tests these contractors. A trained RCP contractor can study the radon problem in your home and help you choose the right treatment method.
  • Treat radon-contaminated well water if you've tested the air in your home and have found a problem. Radon has been found in well water so you will need to test it. Contact a lab certified to measure radiation in your water and have your water tested. Radon in water can be readily fixed.

    Call your state radon office or the EPA's Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for more information. In addition, you can also check with your local American Lung Association for names of EPA- qualified or state-certified radon contractors in your area.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure To Formaldehyde

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • You may want to avoid the use of pressed wood products and other formaldehyde-emitting goods. As such, always ask about the formaldehyde content of pressed wood products, including furniture, cabinetry, and building material before you purchase them.
  • Some studies suggest that coating pressed wood products with polyurethane may reduce formaldehyde emissions for some period of time. To be effective, any such coating must cover all surfaces and edges and remain intact. You will need to wear a mask while applying because the fumes are toxic. Also, increase ventilation and follow manufacturer's instructions to reduce household toxins. Some polyurethane coatings contain formaldehyde so check the label before purchasing. The rate at which formaldehyde is released is accelerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level. Therefore, the use of dehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperature can help reduce formaldehyde emissions.

    For more information of about formaldehyde content in consumer products call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act assistance line at (202-554-1404).

    Steps to Reduce Exposure to Biological Contaminants

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

    Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, cat saliva, and molds.

  • Begin by touring your household and follow your nose and use your eyes. There are two major factors that help create conditions for biological pollutants to grow, which are nutrients and constant moisture with poor air circulation. During your walk-through, look for such conditions, and plan to take steps to make improvements. A musty odor, moisture on hard surfaces, and water stains are a sign of water leaks or condensation. Common problem areas include:

    1. Air-conditioning units

    2. Basements, attics, and crawlspaces

    3. Bathrooms

    4. Carpets

    5. Heating and air-conditioning ducts

    6. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

    7. Refrigerator drip pans

    Fix all leaks and take steps to increase air movement and ventilation. In addition, keep appliance drip pans clean.

  • Dust and construction materials, such as wood, wallboard, and insulation, contain nutrients that allow biological pollutants to grow, and must be kept clean and dry.
  • Carpet absorbs moisture and nutrients, and is an ideal environment for biological pollutants. Pay special attention to carpeting on cool concrete floors, where moisture can condense and become trapped.
  • Firewood is also a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs, and should be stored outdoors.

    For more information on biological pollutants in general, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Environments website at www.epa.gov/iaq.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure to Pesticides

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Use strictly according to manufacturers 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 to reduce exposure to household toxins.
  • 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.
  • Keep indoor spaces clean, dry, and well ventilated to avoid pest and odor problems.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Don't smoke in your home.
  • Ask other people not to smoke in your home, especially baby-sitters or others who may care for your children.
  • Ask smokers to go outside while they smoke.
  • If someone must smoke inside, limit them to rooms where windows can be opened or fans can be used to send the smoke outside.
  • Help people who are trying to quit smoking.

    Steps to Reduce Exposure to Household Chemicals

    Facts About Air Pollution: Household Toxins

  • Ideally, the best way to reduce your exposure to chemicals is to get rid of all the chemicals in your home and replace them with chemical-free products. However, until you are able to achieve this, follow the label instructions of your products carefully.
  • Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user. For example, if the label says to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in areas equipped with an exhaust fan, to use it. Otherwise, you can reduce household toxins by opening up windows to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air possible.
  • Throw away partially full containers of old or un-needed chemicals safely. Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. Be sure that materials that you decide to keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children and pets.

    We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre realize that we can't escape all toxic exposure - but we can protect ourselves against diseases by reducing it in our homes. In addition, eating a healthy diet, along with exercise and taking the right natural health supplements can help to fight the continuous onslaught of toxins.

    We hope this household toxins web-page was useful to you.

    To Your Health!

    The Editors

    Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre.com




    Other Health Topics of Interest

    Facts about Air Pollution: Household Toxins & Health Effects

    Facts About Water: How Much Water To Drink Daily?

    Can You Drink Too Much Water? Yes... it's called Water Intoxication.




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