Beautiful Sunsets
They say that the reason Southern California has such beautiful sunsets is because of the smog. Kind of an oxymoron isn’t it? When I was a kid, they used to have daily smog rating on TV. If there was a third stage smog alert you were supposed to stay inside. Doesn’t the air inside come from the air outside? How were we to be protected? Was there some magic field or filter at the door and windows that stopped pollution from coming in? The answer is, no!
As a matter of fact, the air inside can actually be more polluted than the air outside. For many years there have been studies and reports of air pollution. We hear about it everyday. What we don’t hear is about the many toxins and contaminants that are in our air indoors. These contaminants include, oil, gas, deteriorated wood, furnishings, and their finishes, asbestos insulation, damp carpet, pressed wood products, cleaning products, air fresheners, microbial contaminants, such as mold and mildew, outdoor air pollutants, off gassing, or V.O.C.’s from materials in your home or office, and build-up of fumes, and gasses.
As a specialist in autoimmune disease, Clint Santiago Dahl, ND. DC., has treated hundreds of patients suffering from the effects of indoor air pollutants, and the misdiagnosis of asthma due to reactions to household chemicals. He suggests to” Avoid using chemicals not necessary, and use the ones needed sparingly. Keep the home well ventilated and the use of air purifiers can be very affective if positioned properly in your home or workspace. Making sure the areas you are using chemicals in are well ventilated, the use of masks designed to filter out airborne chemicals minimize the inhalation of said products”.
The Cornell Illustrated Encyclopedia of Health states that “Radon is a colorless, odorless gas created by the natural radioactive decay of Uranium-238 found in some soil and rocks, and a carcinogen responsible for thousands of lung cancer deaths each year”. It can seep into your house or business through cracks in the foundation, floors, and basement. It attaches to dust particles that float through the air. If inhaled, they can cause decay of the lungs, tissues, linings, and airways causing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. IF you’re a non-smoker, it is the first. It’s very important to test your home for Radon. Radon detectors can be bought at your local hardware or home do-it-yourself center.
Carbon Monoxide is described by The Cornell Illustrated Encyclopedia of Health as” a colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas”. It is produced in all combustion type devices, furnaces, heaters, stoves, and car engines emit Carbon Monoxide. Paint strippers are metabolized as Carbon Monoxide.
Indications of exposure to Carbon Monoxide can mirror symptoms of the flu. You can also experience other symptoms such as, headache, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, confusion, and fainting. High doses of exposure can also include drowsiness, unconsciousness, and even death.
Chronic exposure to low doses can cause hyperactive behavior, convulsions, mental deterioration, and hearing loss. Part of the treatment for Carbon Monoxide poisoning is Oxygen Therapy.
Carbon Monoxide levels are often higher than the healthy exposure levels, especially in residences that have older appliances, and heating units. It is important to check you heater regularly for leaks, and to have a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home. It is as equally important to having a smoke detector, possibly even more. The chances of getting exposure to unhealthy levels of Carbon Monoxide are higher than you house catching on fire.
One of the most recent discoveries of Indoor Air Pollution and related illness is in the study and treatment of indoor mold. It is often referred to Sick Building Syndrome (SDS) or Building Related Illness (BRI).
Molds are a natural part of our environment. It is reproduced by tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye when floating through the air. When mold spores reach the indoors they can grow if they come in contact with water or moist surfaces. Without moisture or water, they cannot grow.
Typically, when mold is outdoors it is not a threat to our immune system. When molds begin to grow indoors they can pose a health threat. People with allergies, asthma, and compromised immune systems can suffer from a long list of symptoms.
These symptoms are headache, eye, nose, throat irritation, dry cough, dry/ or itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, sensitivity to odors, tightness of the chest, fever, chills, muscle aches, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms are clearly identifiable and are relieved soon after leaving the building.
If you suspect or know that you have a mold problem it should be treated immediately. If the affected area is smaller than 3′ x 3′ you might be able to treat it yourself. There are biocides, such as bleach that can kill, or remove mold. Even though it is effective, it is not recommended to use bleach because of the fumes it creates.
If you have a large mold problem, or if you are concerned with your health as a result of personal mold removal, you should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at 800-438-4318 or epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html
With proper ventilation, maintenance of heating units, and the use of environmentally safe, or green cleaning products you should be able to vastly improve you Indoor Air Quality.
Tags: formaldehyde, indoor air quality, mold inspection & testing
Posted in Environment, Mold & Indoor Air Quality | |