How many toxic chemicals are in the average home

HEPA vacuums are now widely available and have also been shown to be effective [ 8 ]. A conventional vacuum tends to be inefficient as a control measure and results in a significant increase in airborne dust concentrations, but can be used with multilayer microfiltration collection bags. Two products are available to treat house dust mites and their allergens. These products contain the active ingredients benzyl benzoate and tannic acid.

Pets According to the U. Environmental Protection Agency EPA [ 9 ] , pets can be significant asthma triggers because of dead skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva, and hair.

Proteins in the dander, urine, or saliva of warm-blooded animals can sensitize individuals and lead to allergic reactions or trigger asthmatic episodes. Warm-blooded animals include dogs, cats, birds, and rodents hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, and mice. Numerous strategies, such as the following, can diminish or eliminate animal allergens in the home:. However, there is some evidence that pets introduced early into the home may prevent asthma. Many other studies have shown a decrease in allergies and asthma among children who grew up on a farm and were around many animals [ 12 ].

Mold People are routinely exposed to more than species of fungi indoors and outdoors [ 13 ]. These include moldlike fungi, as well as other fungi such as yeasts and mushrooms. Mold colonies may appear cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery, and may be white, gray, black, brown, yellow, greenish, or other colors. Many reproduce via the production and dispersion of spores.

They usually feed on dead organic matter and, provided with sufficient moisture, can live off of many materials found in homes, such as wood, cellulose in the paper backing on drywall, insulation, wallpaper, glues used to bond carpet to its backing, and everyday dust and dirt. Certain molds can cause a variety of adverse human health effects, including allergic reactions and immune responses e. A recent Institute of Medicine IOM review of the scientific literature found sufficient evidence for an association between exposure to mold or other agents in damp indoor environments and the following conditions: upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible persons, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons [ 15 ].

A previous scientific review was more specific in concluding that sufficient evidence exists to support associations between fungal allergen exposure and asthma exacerbation and upper respiratory disease [ 13 ].

Finally, mold toxins can cause direct lung damage leading to pulmonary diseases other than asthma [ 13 ]. The topic of residential mold has received increasing public and media attention over the past decade. This might give the impression that mold problems in homes are more frequent now than in past years; however, no good evidence supports this. Reasons for the increasing attention to this issue include high-visibility lawsuits brought by property owners against builders and developers, scientific controversies regarding the degree to which specific illness outbreaks are mold-induced, and an increase in the cost of homeowner insurance policies due to the increasing number of mold-related claims.

Modern construction might be more vulnerable to mold problems because tighter construction makes it more difficult for internally generated water vapor to escape, as well as the widespread use of paper-backed drywall in construction paper is an excellent medium for mold growth when wet , and the widespread use of carpeting.

Allergic Health Effects. Many molds produce numerous protein or glycoprotein allergens capable of causing allergic reactions in people. These allergens have been measured in spores as well as in other fungal fragments.

Fifty percent of the children tested in a large multicity asthma study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health showed sensitivity to mold, indicating the importance of mold as an asthma trigger among these children [ 16 ]. Molds are thought to play a role in asthma in several ways. Molds produce many potentially allergenic compounds, and molds may play a role in asthma via release of irritants that increase potential for sensitization or release of toxins mycotoxins that affect immune response [ 13 ].

Toxics and Irritants. Many molds also produce mycotoxins that can be a health hazard on ingestion, dermal contact, or inhalation [ 14 ]. Although common outdoor molds present in ambient air, such as Cladosporium cladosporioides and Alternaria alternata , do not usually produce toxins, many other different mold species do [ 17 ].

Genera-producing fungi associated with wet buildings, such as Aspergillus versicolor , Fusarium verticillioides , Penicillium aiurantiorisen , and S.

A single mold species may produce several different toxins, and a given mycotoxin may be produced by more than one species of fungi. Furthermore, toxin-producing fungi do not necessarily produce mycotoxins under all growth conditions, with production being dependent on the substrate it is metabolizing, temperature, water content, and humidity [ 17 ]. Because species of toxin-producing molds generally have a higher water requirement than do common household molds, they tend to thrive only under conditions of chronic and severe water damage [ 18 ].

For example, Stachybotrys typically only grows under continuously wet conditions [ 19 ]. It has been suggested that very young children may be especially vulnerable to certain mycotoxins [ 19 , 20 ].

For example, associations have been reported for pulmonary hemorrhage bleeding lung deaths in infants and the presence of S. Causes of Mold. Mold growth can be caused by any condition resulting in excess moisture.

Common moisture sources include rain leaks e. Moisture problems can also be due to water vapor migration and condensation problems, including uneven indoor temperatures, poor air circulation, soil air entry into basements, contact of humid unconditioned air with cooled interior surfaces, and poor insulation on indoor chilled surfaces e.

Problems can also be caused by the production of excess moisture within homes from humidifiers, unvented clothes dryers, overcrowding, etc. Finished basements are particularly susceptible to mold problems caused by the combination of poorly controlled moisture and mold-supporting materials e. There is also some evidence that mold spores from damp or wet crawl spaces can be transported through air currents into the upper living quarters. Older, substandard housing low income families can be particularly prone to mold problems because of inadequate maintenance e.

Low interior temperatures e. Mold Assessment Methods. Mold growth or the potential for mold growth can be detected by visual inspection for active or past microbial growth, detection of musty odors, and inspection for water staining or damage.

If it is not possible or practical to inspect a residence, this information can be obtained using occupant questionnaires. Visual observation of mold growth, however, is limited by the fact that fungal elements such as spores are microscopic, and that their presence is often not apparent until growth is extensive and the fact that growth can occur in hidden spaces e.

Portable, hand-held moisture meters, for the direct measurement of moisture levels in materials, may also be useful in qualitative home assessments to aid in pinpointing areas of potential biologic growth that may not otherwise be obvious during a visual inspection [ 14 ].

For routine assessments in which the goal is to identify possible mold contamination problems before remediation, it is usually unnecessary to collect and analyze air or settled dust samples for mold analysis because decisions about appropriate intervention strategies can typically be made on the basis of a visual inspection [ 25 ].

Also, sampling and analysis costs can be relatively high and the interpretation of results is not straightforward.

Air and dust monitoring may, however, be necessary in certain situations, including 1 if an individual has been diagnosed with a disease associated with fungal exposure through inhalation, 2 if it is suspected that the ventilation systems are contaminated, or 3 if the presence of mold is suspected but cannot be identified by a visual inspection or bulk sampling [ 26 ].

Generally, indoor environments contain large reservoirs of mold spores in settled dust and contaminated building materials, of which only a relatively small amount is airborne at a given time. Common methods for sampling for mold growth include bulk sampling techniques, air sampling, and collection of settled dust samples. In bulk sampling, portions of materials with visual or suspected mold growth e. Surface sampling in mold contamination investigations may also be used when a less destructive technique than bulk sampling is desired.

For example, nondestructive samples of mold may be collected using a simple swab or adhesive tape [ 14 ]. Air can also be sampled for mold using pumps that pull air across a filter medium, which traps airborne mold spores and fragments. It is generally recommended that outdoor air samples are collected concurrent with indoor samples for comparison purposes for measurement of baseline ambient air conditions.

Indoor contamination can be indicated by indoor mold distributions both species and concentrations that differ significantly from the distributions in outdoor samples [ 14 ]. Both techniques require considerable expertise. Dust sampling involves the collection of settled dust samples e. The dust is then processed in the laboratory and the mold identified by culturing viable spores. Mold Standards. No standard numeric guidelines exist for assessing whether mold contamination exists in an area.

Various governmental and private organizations have, however, proposed guidance on the interpretation of fungal measures of environmental media in indoor environments quantitative limits for fungal concentrations.

Given evidence that young children may be especially vulnerable to certain mycotoxins [ 18 ] and in view of the potential severity or diseases associated with mycotoxin exposure, some organizations support a precautionary approach to limiting mold exposure [ 19 ].

For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under 1 year of age are not exposed at all to chronically moldy, water-damaged environments [ 18 ]. Mold Mitigation. Common intervention methods for addressing mold problems include the following:. Moisture Control. Because one of the most important factors affecting mold growth in homes is moisture level, controlling this factor is crucial in mold abatement strategies.

Vapor barriers, sump pumps, and aboveground vents can also be installed in crawlspaces to prevent moisture problems [ 28 ]. Removal and Cleaning of Mold-contaminated Materials. Nonporous e. However, in some cases, the material may not be easily cleaned or may be so severely contaminated that it may have to be removed.

It is recommended that porous materials e. In severe cases, clean-up and repair of mold-contaminated buildings may be conducted using methods similar to those used for abatement of other hazardous substances such as asbestos [ 30 ]. For example, in situations of extensive colonization large surface areas greater than square feet or where the material is severely degraded , extreme precautions may be required, including full containment complete isolation of work area with critical barriers airlock and decontamination room and negative pressurization, personnel trained to handle hazardous wastes, and the use of full-face respirators with HEPA filters, eye protection, and disposable full-body covering [ 26 ].

Activities such as cleaning or removal of mold-contaminated materials in homes, as well as investigations of mold contamination extent, have the potential to disturb areas of mold growth and release fungal spores and fragments into the air.

Recommended measures to protect workers during mold remediation efforts depend on the severity and nature of the mold contamination being addressed, but include the use of well fitted particulate masks or respirators that retain particles as small as 1 micrometer or less, disposable gloves and coveralls, and protective eyewear [ 31 ]. Figure 5. CO is a leading cause of poisoning deaths [ 32 ]. The leading specific types of equipment blamed for CO-related deaths include gas-fueled space heaters, gas-fueled furnaces, charcoal grills, gas-fueled ranges, portable kerosene heaters, and wood stoves.

As with fire deaths, the risk for unintentional CO death is highest for the very young ages 4 years and younger and the very old ages 75 years and older. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. It is a result of the incomplete combustion of carbon. Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion are the most frequent symptoms of CO poisoning.

According to the American Lung Association ALA [ 33 ] , breathing low levels of CO can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. Higher levels of CO can cause flulike symptoms in healthy people.

In addition, extremely high levels of CO cause loss of consciousness and death. In the home, any fuel-burning appliance that is not adequately vented and maintained can be a potential source of CO. The following steps should be followed to reduce CO as well as sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen levels:.

ALA recommends weighing the benefits of using models powered by electrical outlets versus models powered by batteries that run out of power and need replacing. Battery-powered CO detectors provide continuous protection and do not require recalibration in the event of a power outage.

Electric-powered systems do not provide protection during a loss of power and can take up to 2 days to recalibrate. A device that can be easily self-tested and reset to ensure proper functioning should be chosen. Ozone Inhaling ozone can damage the lungs. Inhaling small amounts of ozone can result in chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation.

Ozone can also exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Susceptibility to the effects of ozone varies from person to person, but even healthy people can experience respiratory difficulties from exposure. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services [ 34 ] , the major source of indoor ozone is outdoor ozone. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.

In recent years, there have been numerous advertisements for ion generators that destroy harmful indoor air pollutants. These devices create ozone or elemental oxygen that reacts with pollutants. Ozone is also created by the exposure of polluted air to sunlight or ultraviolet light emitters. This ozone produced outside of the home can infiltrate the house and react with indoor surfaces, creating additional pollutants. The physiologic effects of ETS are numerous.

ETS can trigger asthma; irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; and cause ear infections in children, respiratory illnesses, and lung cancer. ETS is believed to cause asthma by irritating chronically inflamed bronchial passages. Laboratory analysis has revealed that ETS contains in excess of 4, substances, more than 60 of which cause cancer in humans or animals. Additionally, passive smoking can lead to coughing, excess phlegm, and chest discomfort.

NCI also notes that spontaneous abortion miscarriage , cervical cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, nasal sinus cancer, decreased lung function, exacerbation of cystic fibrosis, and negative cognitive and behavioral effects in children have been linked to ETS [ 36 ].

The EPA [ 37 ] states that, because of their relative body size and respiratory rates, children are affected by ETS more than adults are. It is estimated that an additional 7, to 15, hospitalizations resulting from increased respiratory infections occur in children younger than 18 months of age due to ETS exposure. The following actions are recommended in the home to protect children from ETS:. Volatile Organic Compounds In the modern home, many organic chemicals are used as ingredients in household products.

Organic chemicals that vaporize and become gases at normal room temperature are collectively known as VOCs. Examples of common items that can release VOCs include paints, varnishes, and wax, as well as in many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products.

Levels of approximately a dozen common VOCs can be two to five times higher inside the home, as opposed to outside, whether in highly industrialized areas or rural areas.

VOCs that frequently pollute indoor air include toluene, styrene, xylenes, and trichloroethylene. Some of these chemicals may be emitted from aerosol products, dry-cleaned clothing, paints, varnishes, glues, art supplies, cleaners, spot removers, floor waxes, polishes, and air fresheners. The health effects of these chemicals are varied. Trichlorethylene has been linked to childhood leukemia.

Exposure to toluene can put pregnant women at risk for having babies with neurologic problems, retarded growth, and developmental problems. Xylenes have been linked to birth defects. Styrene is a suspected endocrine disruptor, a chemical that can block or mimic hormones in humans or animals.

EPA data reveal that methylene chloride, a common component of some paint strippers, adhesive removers, and specialized aerosol spray paints, causes cancer in animals [ 38 ]. Methylene chloride is also converted to CO in the body and can cause symptoms associated with CO exposure.

Benzene, a known human carcinogen, is contained in tobacco smoke, stored fuels, and paint supplies. Perchloroethylene, a product uncommonly found in homes, but common to dry cleaners, can be a pollution source by off-gassing from newly cleaned clothing. Environmental Media Services [ 39 ] also notes that xylene, ketones, and aldehydes are used in aerosol products and air fresheners.

To lower levels of VOCs in the home, follow these steps:. A prominent VOC found in household products and construction products is formaldehyde. According to CPSC [ 40 ] , these products include the glue or adhesive used in pressed wood products; preservatives in paints, coating, and cosmetics; coatings used for permanent-press quality in fabrics and draperies; and the finish on paper products and certain insulation materials. Formaldehyde is contained in urea-formaldehyde UF foam insulation installed in the wall cavities of homes as an energy conservation measure.

Levels of formaldehyde increase soon after installation of this product, but these levels decline with time. The courts overturned the ban; however, the publicity has decreased the use of this product. More recently, the most significant source of formaldehyde in homes has been pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain UF resins [ 41 ].

The most significant of these is medium-density fiberboard, which contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product.

This product is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product. Additional pressed wood products are produced using phenol-formaldehyde resin. The latter type of resin generally emits formaldehyde at a considerably slower rate than those containing UF resin. The emission rate for both resins will change over time and will be influenced by high indoor temperatures and humidity. Since , U.

This limit was to ensure that indoor formaldehyde levels are below 0. CPSC [ 40 ] notes that formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. At an air level above 0. Laboratory animal studies have revealed that formaldehyde can cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.

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List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Bioaccumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our bodies for life. Greater and greater amounts are being stored at younger ages. Some products release contaminants into the air right away, others do so gradually over a period of time. Some stay in the air up to a year. Asthma was once a very rare disease.

Now the condition is extremely common, the asthma rate has tripled in the last 20 years with nearly 30 million Americans currently afflicted. The average child visits the doctor 23 times in the 1st 4 years of life, with the most common complaint being respiratory ailment. During the development of a child, from conception through adolescence, there are particular windows of vulnerability to environmental hazards. Most disturbing until a child is approximately 13 months of age, they are virtually no ability to fight the biological and neurological effects of toxic chemicals.

Because children are exposed to toxins at an earlier age than adults, they have more time to develop environmentally triggered diseases, with long latency periods, such as cancer.

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance. It is a known cancer-causing agent. It damages the neurological connectors in the body. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may cause: skin reactions, ear infections, headaches , depression, asthma, joint pain, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, disorientation , phlebitis , fatigue, Vomiting, sleep disturbances, laryngitis.

One in five people are sensitive to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is commonly found in: drugs, mouthwash, hairspray, cosmetics, cleaning products , perfumes , waxes, hair setting lotions, shampoo, air fresheners, fungicides, fingernail polish, floor polishes, dry cleaning solvents, toothpaste, laundry spray starch, Anti-perspirants, just to name a few….

Due to the increase in toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to. Bodies now start to decompose within 7 to 10 days after death. During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese bodies started to decompose within 24 to 48 hours. Twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person 20 years ago compared to today. How many of these names would you have recognized as formaldehyde?

Phenol is an extremely caustic chemical that burns the skin. Absorption of phenol through the lungs or skin can cause: central nervous system damage, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, heart-rate irregularities, skin irritation, kidney and liver damage, numbness, vomiting, and can be fatal.