Focus on the inner ecology of your home to create a positive impact on your family’s health
By Dr. Paul Davis, ND
How eco-friendly is your home? Is it well-insulated? Do you turn off the lights when you don’t need to use them? Are your appliances energy-efficient? If so, kudos to you for being an environmentally-conscious citizen of our planet and creating a healthy environment for your family.
However, what about the inner ecology of your home? How is your air quality for example? Are the materials in your home and in your furniture healthy for you? Recently, homeowners are paying more attention to this question. Government agencies, such as Health Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, have raised concerns regarding the impact of indoor air quality on health. Reducing VOC gases and eliminating harmful cleaning products are two great ways to make some simple positive changes.
REDUCE VOC GASES
Reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) exposure is a great place to start. VOCs, such as formaldehyde, styrene, benzene, toluene, xylene and chlorinated hydrocarbons, can negatively impact your air quality. VOCs are gases that are emitted by a number of indoor sources.
VOC gases can come from paints, finishes, sealers, stains, cleaners, new furniture, carpeting, plastics, curtains, cigarettes, cosmetics, car exhaust, and electronic equipment.
Essentially, VOC gases are low-level toxins. Some people do not eliminate them efficiently and suffer from health conditions related to acute or chronic exposures. Infants and children may be at increased risk of negative health effects from exposure due to a lower body weight. Pregnant women or those considering conceiving may want to reduce their exposure to VOCs.
A very common indoor VOC is formaldehyde. It is a naturally occurring substance, but it can cause health problems. According to Health Canada’s webpage entitled Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline: Formaldehyde, “Formaldehyde is an irritant, and exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde can cause burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat. Long-term exposure to moderate formaldehyde concentrations—at levels lower than those causing irritation—may also be linked to respiratory symptoms and allergic sensitivity, especially in children.”
When renovating your home, if you are painting or adding new carpeting to a room, use low or zero-VOC materials when possible. Otherwise, avoid being in that space until the odour has subsided. Some VOCs can emit chemicals for weeks or longer, so the best approach is to avoid using high-VOC products whenever possible. Eartheasy.com provides a list of low-VOC paints available on the market.
When buying new furniture, consider the VOC level. Some companies now avoid using high-VOC materials in their products. A solid online resource that can help you understand the differences between various VOC-containing materials is the Healthy House Institute (www.healthyhouseinstitute.com).
LIMIT VOC EXPOSURE
Health Canada has some suggestions that can help you limit your exposure to VOCs. Don’t idle cars or other gas powered equipment in attached garages or near doors or windows. Engine exhaust contains a number of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde.
In order to keep emissions low from pressed wood furniture or cabinets, purchase items with a plastic laminate or coating on all sides, or seal them yourself when you get them home. Ensure there is plenty of ventilation during major painting or varnishing projects, or when installing wall-to-wall carpets using glues or adhesives.
Allow products (furniture, new carpets or recently treated furniture) that contain formaldehyde to “air out” before bringing them into your home. Another option is to buy solid wood furniture, or opt for formaldehyde-free plywood furniture.
Formaldehyde concentrations are higher indoors than they are outdoors, so you can significantly decrease its indoor levels by letting in dry, fresh air. High temperatures and high humidity increase formaldehyde emissions so adjust temperature and humidity when possible. Don’t allow anyone to smoke inside the home.
Ensure that fireplaces and wood-stoves are in proper working condition to prevent smoke from polluting your living environment. Keep your chimney clean and clear of obstructions.
ELIMINATE HARMFUL CLEANING PRODUCTS
Cleaning products and air fresheners are also sources of VOCs. These products can trigger asthma symptoms. In some cases, people feel nausea or get headaches from exposure to chemicals and perfumes that are present in these products.
Choose unscented cleaning products whenever possible. Essential oils may be well-tolerated by some, but not all people. For a great guide to finding cleaning products with low VOCs and less-harmful ingredients, visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) and look at their Guide to Healthy Cleaning. There are lots of great resources on this site and their rating system is explained and referenced.
THINK GREEN
It can initially be a bit overwhelming when we are trying to make positive lifestyle changes. Start with a few small changes at a time. By using greener, less toxic materials in your home, you’ll be reducing the level of toxic substances you and your family are exposed to in the short term and the long term, and you’ll be contributing to a healthier environment for everyone.
If you need more support making positive lifestyle transitions, consider seeing a holistic practitioner such as a naturopathic doctor. VM
