Toxins, pesticides, gases, mites, and molds are everywhere, and the more you're exposed to them, the greater your risk for developing the health problems they can cause.
If you experience symptoms like congestion, dizziness, skin rashes, headaches, or nausea—and if these symptoms go away within an hour or two after leaving a particular building—the cause could be sick building syndrome.
What is Toxic Home Syndrome? Toxic Home Syndrome is caused through the build-up of chemicals, bacteria and other pollutants within the air of your home. It has been found to worsen existing respiratory issues, such as asthma, as well as being the cause of new breathing problems.
There are VOC inspections that can be performed by a professional in your home. They're not as common as mold or radon inspectors, but there are professionals out there. They might be called a home inspector, industrial hygienist, or some other term. A VOC home test can measure for hundreds of chemicals in the air.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.
Solution: Wash your sheets and towels weekly in hot water and make sure they're thoroughly dried. Vacuum and dust weekly to rid your environment of them in carpets, curtains, and furniture. May says most important is to encase your mattress and pillows in covers designed to keep dust mites from getting through.
Vacuum often and make sure your vacuum has a clear filter. Use a HEPA filter in your HVAC system to minimize the spread of dust. Don't wear shoes in the house, and wipe off paws before animals enter. Wash bedding, drapes, and stuffed animals often.
Another clue that you might have poor air quality is if you feel like you are constantly fighting a cold, sickness or allergies. See whether or not your symptoms lessen when you leave the house.
Dust mites live in your pillows, mattress and bedding and their feces can irritate you, causing cold-like symptoms, asthma and allergies. To reduce dust mites, wash your bedding regularly, vacuum the mattress, use allergen-proof bed covers and replace your pillows once a year.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
By definition, toxins have the capacity to make you sick. Common sense dictates that you would not want to eat, drink, breathe or apply toxins. Yet we do it every day. We are literally eating, drinking, breathing and applying toxins every day.
There are certain places in your home that are more likely to experience mold growth, like your bathroom or kitchen. If you don't clean regularly, any area with water or excess moisture can become a breeding ground for toxic mold. The most common symptoms of mold exposure are sore throat, congestion, and headaches.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Itchy eyes, a scratchy throat and a cough probably come as no surprise when the air is thick with wildfire smoke. But poor air quality can contribute to less expected symptoms, too. It is not uncommon for people to also experience chest pain, headaches and dizziness, according to Dr.
Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Breathing polluted air for long periods of time can cause more serious problems.
Negative relationships with family members or roommates can create a toxic environment. Verbal or physical abuse, constant criticism, and lack of support can create an atmosphere of fear, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Testing for mold in your home
If you hire a professional mold inspector to come to your home, they'll take samples from three areas—the air, the surface, and surrounding dust. They send these samples to a third-party laboratory to find out the concentration and kinds of mold in those particular areas.
A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it's mold.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water. Mold needs moisture to grow.