Is your home toxic? Should you be scared?
By mtdewgurl74
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
United States
February 24, 2009 4:10am CST
Did you know that the air inside your home can be more dangerous than what’s floating around outside? Since people tend to spend a lot of time indoors in cold weather, winter often brings with it a buildup of toxic particles inside the house. Think about it—you probably haven’t opened windows in weeks, if not months, and you rarely leave the door open longer than it takes to bring in a few bags of groceries or the kids running in and out a few times. This is why the air in your home likely contains two to five times as many pollutants as outdoor air, according to an estimate by the Environmental Protection Agency. And if you’ve been working with harsh chemicals, such as paint strippers,finger nail polish and hair sprays it can drift on the air in your home and be one thousand times more toxic than the air outside during and immediately after using them..
But before you reach for a gas mask and hide,know that there are things you can do to clear the air in your home. One is buy a Air filtering system and keep it cleaned properly and change filters regularly it is what you don't see that is harmful. Here is a few ways that you can help lower your risk
If you have anything that runs on gas(besides your old man and your car)Check the burners. Make sure that they are properly adjusted to reduce the chance of carbon-monoxide buildup. The flame should burn blue, not yellow. If the color is wrong, speak to your gas company immediately and air out your home by opening windows and doors. Same goes for kerosene heaters. Which should never be used without proper ventilation anyhow.
Do you have a exhaust fan If no have one installed. The fan should vent to the outside and be kept very clean. Be careful about your cleaning products. If you must use a product that emits fumes, keep doors and windows open for ventilation. Or, better yet, try a fume-free product.
Having certain houseplants also help. Never a bad idea to have a few in each room.
I think I will start turning my fans backward in the windows for a few minutes a day to suck some of the bad air out. This could be why I feel tired and fatigued alot of the time and feel more energized in summer..What do you think? Do you think this discussion holds water or is a crock? I found this topic at Quality Health.
But before you reach for a gas mask and hide,know that there are things you can do to clear the air in your home. One is buy a Air filtering system and keep it cleaned properly and change filters regularly it is what you don't see that is harmful. Here is a few ways that you can help lower your risk
If you have anything that runs on gas(besides your old man and your car)Check the burners. Make sure that they are properly adjusted to reduce the chance of carbon-monoxide buildup. The flame should burn blue, not yellow. If the color is wrong, speak to your gas company immediately and air out your home by opening windows and doors. Same goes for kerosene heaters. Which should never be used without proper ventilation anyhow.
Do you have a exhaust fan If no have one installed. The fan should vent to the outside and be kept very clean. Be careful about your cleaning products. If you must use a product that emits fumes, keep doors and windows open for ventilation. Or, better yet, try a fume-free product.
Having certain houseplants also help. Never a bad idea to have a few in each room.
I think I will start turning my fans backward in the windows for a few minutes a day to suck some of the bad air out. This could be why I feel tired and fatigued alot of the time and feel more energized in summer..What do you think? Do you think this discussion holds water or is a crock? I found this topic at Quality Health.3 people like this
5 responses
@Chispa514 (871)
• Montreal, Quebec
24 Feb 09
I'm not sure how toxic my house is, but I TRY my best to keep the air clean. I always have the windows open, even in the winter. Mind you, I don't keep them open enough to make it cold in the house, just enough to let fresh air in (about the width of 2-3 fingers). I have asthma and I need fresh air all the time to be able to breathe properly. Especially since i have 4 cats, and I do tend to use chemicals in my house (cleansers, air freshners, hair spray, nail polish,etc), even though I try not to, sometimes I just can't be avoided. But with the windows open, the air is fresh and I don't get as sick as I used to when I used to keep the windows closed.
3 people like this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
25 Feb 09
Me, too, we both smoke and have 2 cats, and I have asthma a bit. So stuffy air really bothers me. My husband smokes 2 packs a day and it drives me nuts right now because he is off work for the winter, so constantly filling the house up with clouds of smoke. *cough, cough*
So, yeah, I am opening the windows at least once a day, regardless of the temperature. We are heating with a corn stove anyway, so it is relatively inexpensive. So, I don't care if I waste some of the heat, as it is organic, very renewable, and affordable. Besides, my health is worth more than a few dollars.
1 person likes this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
24 Feb 09
Good discussion! It's not just "harsh" chemicals that you should be worried about. Those seemingly benign dusting sprays, furniture polishes,foaming tub and tile cleaners etc. that many people rely on to keep their homes sparkling clean are toxic too!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1148778/is_your_clean_house_making_you_sick.html?cat=5
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Hey thanks for that link. I am bookmarking it so I can send it to my mom later. Yeah, I love pledge it is my favorite dusting spray and I love the orange scented ones best but if I knew it was making me sick I would have t do away with it and stick to old fashion ways..a duster or a dusting rag that has been dampened.Thanks for your response I appreciate it alot..You have a great day now..
@wildcat48 (779)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Hi mtdewurl74,yes i already know this but thanks for bring to every one else.every body listen and read ok
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Thanks for the response wildcat48, I do hope that others listen to this advice.
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
25 Feb 09
My husband and I disagree about windows and air in the winter time. I am always opening at least one for part of the day to get some fresh air in here. He goes behind me and closes them all the time. Grrrr.
Well, I wouldn't be painting, staining or using any toxic stuff unless I had all the windows wide open, so it would be summer for those jobs, period.
We bought an Air Purifier a couple of years ago. I sleep with it on in the room with me and use it in the livingroom while we are watching TV alot.
I agree with you that stale air is definitely unhealthy. Fresh air is the best. I work outside alot, so I get fresh air all the time and I really notice it when I come inside, particularly in the winter. Thus, the window argument with the hubs. 
He's learned, though, that it is smarter to wait until I am outside to shut the windows.
He's learned, though, that it is smarter to wait until I am outside to shut the windows.1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
25 Feb 09
That sounds like my husband. he says the cold air bothers his sinuses.I have a air purifier but I need a new filter for it this year and it is a costly filter. I bought a smaller air purifier that doesn't take filters really but you have to clean the metal blades off every day. My husband can't sleep unless it is on and close to him. I tell him if he stopped smoking he wouldn't smother so bad. Thanks for your response AnnieOakley1 I appreciate it.have a good day.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
23 Jul 09
yes this is a very good discussion. i also saw most of this reported on oprah by dr. Oz. here in AZ its the other way around. right now its so hot no one wants to be out. all windows and doors are kept shut as much as possible. in the summer the electric bill gets so high from air conditioning that you better not leave anything open to outside heat or you get yelled at "Shut that the airs on!!"
"Shut that the airs on!!"@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Maybe open windows at night when the air cools a bit and let some of the air in to help filter out stuff. I haven't seen the Dr.Oz on Oprah about it, would be nice to know what his views are. Thanks for the response.
