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It's in the air oxygen that is, along with nitrogen, small amounts of other gases, water vapor and unfortunately air pollutants. An air pollutant is any substance in the air that can cause harm to us humans, to our animals and to
the environment itself. Today let's discuss a bit about the indoor air
pollutants which we inhale and especially the ones that with repetitive use
overtime, can cause disease in us and in our pets too. I decided to write "It's
In the Air" to create a bit more awareness because when we inhale these
chemicals, they not only reach every cell in our body, they do so by the
quickest means available (except by injection) via our lungs, that is (please
see important link below for more info). I decided to write this because I
recently came home to find my own apartment building lobby filled with fumes
from workers spraying a brass cleaner on our elevator doors. As I held up a
cloth to my face, I advised my building employees that they should wear masks,
and until I mentioned how toxic the chemicals were, they were totally unaware
of the possible effects (my building superintendent did get a commercial fan
the next day to ventilate). What are the health effects?
Some of the most common immediate negative effects of inhaling an air pollutant
can be headaches, nausea, breathing difficulty, and irritation of our eyes and
throat. Those of us who have a history of respiratory disease such as asthma,
can either experience an immediate negative response, or longer and/or
heightened attacks over time with repetitive exposure.
Some of the most common diseases caused by air pollutants are of course, cancer
(we are talking toxins), liver and kidney disease, heart and lung disease and
even nerve disorders. Air pollutants are harmful to our lungs, airway passages
and blood vessels, but a recent study has found a direct relationship for
instance between cigarette smoke and lowered levels of blood serum antioxidants
in smokers and NON-smokers alike. Cigarette smoke contains over
60 different chemicals and many of these very same chemicals are found in other
common household indoor pollutants.
What are some of the most common indoor pollutants?
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Cigarette Smoke. What are these chemicals and their effect? Let's
start with ammonia, arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene
and of course nicotine (sound like we're standing behind a bus?).
These are just a handful of the more well known toxic chemicals found in
cigarette smoke in the form of gas along with radioactive compounds (read on
because these chemicals are found in the pollutants below).
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Air Fresheners, mothball crystals, oven cleaner, to name a few.
Two common household cleaners that emit fumes and are toxic are bleach and
ammonia. Threat: Cancer.
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Aerosol sprays can cause irregular breathing and irritate airway
passages in some of us.
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Dry Cleaning Fluid Fumes left on clothing. Threat: possible
nervous disorders, liver and kidney damage.
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Faulty Woodstoves, Furnaces, Invented Gas Stoves and Kerosene Heaters.
Threat: Headaches, irregular heartbeat, lung cancer.
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New Carpets, Furniture stuffing, Paneling, Vinyl Ceiling and Floor Tiles.
These contain chemicals from formaldehyde in new synthetic carpets to other
chemicals emitted from glues. They can cause the most common immediate side
effects, to the more serious diseases in those of us who are occupationally
exposed. New synthetic carpets release vapors from more than 100 volatile
organic compounds.
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Pesticides and Bug Sprays. Remember my "Pesticides and Our Health
tip? Let's try to use natural sprays and methods around children and pets, and
ventilate (My Pesticide tip will be posted under my health page Friday 10/21).
Some of these chemicals are more toxic than others because of their toxicity
strength, repetitive use which increases our exposure, and persistence level
(this refers to how long they remain biologically active in our environment).
This does not include risk factors from our exposure to multiple sources
(multi-toxins/pesticides which are absorbed through our skin, those which we
eat and breath from different sources over a period of time). Since it's fall,
many of us will be indoors more with our windows closed, and with heating
systems on, this is the time to take a few steps to reduce our exposure.
What can we do? Let's
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Become Aware. Let's become more aware of our exposure to
synthetic chemicals and reduce using them whenever possible (example: let's use
oven cleaner only 1-2x per year and clean oven immediately after each use with
a natural scouring cleaner such as baking soda). Let's READ LABELS
so we use all products safely. Let's only use natural products around our
infants, and young children (and our small furry friends too) who are more
susceptible than us adults. Never Mix. Never mix any substances
without reading labels (never mix bleach and ammonia with any other cleaners
because very toxic chemicals are formed).
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Reduce Exposure. Let's use these chemicals in the smallest amounts
possible and let's ventilate the area. When painting or using other such
chemicals for any extended period of time, we might consider using a face mask
to reduce our inhalation. We can remove our dry -cleaning plastic bags and
ventilate our clothing before hanging them in our closet or wearing them. We
can even remove our shoes before entering our homes (This reduces dust,
pesticides, and other chemicals that can become imbedded in our carpets, etc.)
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Go Natural. Let's opt for organic methods when possible ( We can
try to use more products that guarantee use of organic material ; let's use
vinegar and water for window cleaning in the baby's room for example).
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Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate. Getting a new carpet for the
baby's room? Putting down a new floor? Let's open windows, and keep them open
while we temporarily sleep in another room for a few days at minimum.
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Consider Houseplants. Yes, they're not only beautiful, but they
remove many air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and some of
the other chemicals listed above. Some plant examples are the Spider, Aloe
Vera, Ficus, Golden Pothos, and English Ivy. Plants need to be potted with a
mixture of soil and granular charcoal that absorbs these toxins.
Lastly, we can test our heating systems, woodstoves, fireplaces, etc. at the
beginning of each winter. If our home has been closed up for any length of time
we can test for formaldehyde; we should install carbon monoxide detectors.
Experts also advise not storing gasoline, solvents, or any chemicals inside our
home or attached garages.
So while "It's In the Air", and we can't control everything in it, we
can become more aware and control a few things. I changed to natural cleaners
such as baking soda and vinegar because my little doggie Charlie has asthma,
but now I feel healthier too. And after all, it might be as simple as opening
our windows, and it is for our health!
It is recommended to test our houses built before 1980 for asbestos
fiber levels, and other toxins including lead. We can call the EPA's Toxic
Substances Control Hotline at 202-554-1404 for a list of certified testing
labs. For additional info, click on http://epa.gov/ for this and other topics
such as Radon, a toxic pollutant that is a major cause for lung cancer in
non-smokers. Radon is odorless and is emitted into homes from soil and rock in
and under the foundation.
Source used:Environmental Science G. Tyler Miller Jr.seventh
edition.
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