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Detox Your Home
Airborne pollutants have an adverse effect on our health, specifically on our cardiovascular and respiratory systems. What is less known is indoor pollution can be anywhere from 2 to 100 times worse than outdoor pollution. Since most people spend the majority of their time indoors, your home might literally be making you sick. Toxic Culprits in Your Home Antibacterial Cleaners: Contain triclosan, a dioxin, which has been linked to weakened immune systems, decreased fertility, hormone disruption and birth defects. Solution: Use regular soap which kills 99.4% of germs, opposed to 99.6% for antibacterial soaps. Air Fresheners: The chemicals in air fresheners actually coat your nasal passage or deaden nerves so you can no longer smell the odours. Formaldehyde is a primary ingredient and is a carcinogen linked to allergic reactions, headaches, joint and chest pain, immune dysfunction, nausea, depression and fatigue. Phenol is also a common ingredient and is known to cause skin eruptions, cold sweats, convulsions, and circulatory collapse. Solution: Eliminate odours by ventilating (open windows or use an exhaust fan). Dishwasher Detergent: Most contain highly concentrated chlorine and are extremely poisonous. Common side effects are skin and eye irritations and damage to mucous membranes. In addition, residue builds up on your dishes and transfer into your hot meals. Solution: Use phosphate and chlorine free detergent. Oven Cleaners: Contain sodium hydroxide, a highly corrosive chemical that can cause tissue damage and is caustic for eyes and lungs. Also contains several other chemicals, including benzene, that are carcinogenic and can adversely affect the nervous system and unborn children. Solution: Use a mix of baking soda, salt and water paste. Bathroom Cleaners: Most contain hydrochloric acid or hypochloride bleach, known corrosive chemicals that can damage your skin, eyes, kidneys, liver and respiratory tract. Solution: Use pure vinegar for toilet bowl stains. Dilute pure vinegar with water to remove soap scum. Washing soda or borax is effective on tiles. Carpets: Contain PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and formaldehyde and trap other airborne toxic particles. Solution: Opt for hardwood floors or area rugs made of natural materials. For existing carpets/rugs, use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Furniture made from particleboard, pressed wood, plywood and laminated wood. All out-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde. Also avoid upholstered furniture with polyurethane-foam cores (contain PBDEs). Solutions: Purchase solid wood furniture; set new furniture out in the sun for a day or two; keep house well-ventilated; use houseplants (see below) that are known to absorb formaldehyde and other chemical toxins. Mould: Caused by excessive moisture. Inhalation of mould spores can result in runny nose or congestion, eye irritation, cough, asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches, mental fatigue and can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Most often found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements and close to windows. Solution: To clean up existing mould on washable surfaces, scrub with an unscented detergent solution, sponge with a clean, wet rag and dry quickly. You should wear eye protection goggles, a dust mask and rubber gloves when cleaning up mould. You should seek professional help if the mould is in large amounts (especially if it is found in drywall). To prevent mould from growing, ventilate your home by opening windows or using exhaust fans (especially in bathrooms after showering). HEPA air purifiers also catch and eliminate mould spores in addition to other allergens. Follow these steps to detoxify your home and start breathing easy!
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