There are obvious toxins in our homes, such as pesticides or
cleaning products. We keep them out of reach of children and use
them carefully. However, things we use every day can also have
serious effects on our health.
There are obvious toxins in our homes, such as pesticides or cleaning products. We keep them out of reach of children and use them carefully. However, things we use every day can also have serious effects on our health.
On their own, they’re relatively harmless: playground equipment, electronics, furniture, drapes, the week’s dry-cleaning. It’s the chemicals they’re made with that are cause for concern. Many of the items we use regularly are treated with substances that can pose a significant threat to human health.
Several products are treated with brominated flame retardants, which are chemicals used to slow the ignition and spread of fire. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, polybrominated diphenylethers – or PBDEs – are used to treat plastics in electronics and small appliances, furniture foam, wire insulation and drapery.
As the product is manufactured, used and disposed of, it releases PBDEs, which accumulate in humans and the surrounding environment. Studies have found a build-up of PBDEs in humans and animals in North America, Asia, Europe and the Arctic, and toxicological tests have suggested they may cause developmental and immune defects.
There are several ways to protect yourself from PBDEs. Environment California, an environmental advocacy group, suggests using products that are not treated with PBDE, or buying products made from naturally flame-resistant materials. Manufacturers such as IKEA, a furniture-maker, and Toshiba, which manufactures electronics, both make items that are both flame-retardant and safe.
Outdoor decks and children’s play equipment need to be protected from the elements, but wood treated with copper arsenate can release arsenic, which studies say can cause cancer, brain damage and nervous and immune system damage. To prevent the release of arsenic, the EPA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended sealing wood surfaces that are treated with copper arsenate with a water- or oil-based stain or sealant once a year. The use of paint, however, is advised against because it may chip, peel or require sanding, which can increase arsenic exposure.
Other common household items can also contribute to poor air quality inside the home. Perchloroethylene, a chemical frequently used in dry-cleaning, can be inhaled when clothing is stored in the home or worn. Most perchloroethylene is removed from clothing during the dry-cleaning process, but not all of it is removed every time.
To protect yourself from the chemical, which has been shown to cause cancer in animals, check your clothes at the dry-cleaners. If they smell like chemicals, ask to have them dried more thoroughly before taking them home.
Products that contain pressed wood – such as furniture, shelving, sub-flooring and hardwood-plywood paneling – can emit formaldehyde. The chemical – also found in permanent-press clothing, adhesives and fuel-burning appliances – can cause burning in the eyes and throat, as well as nausea, respiratory problems and possibly cancer.
To reduce formaldehyde in your home, ask about levels of the chemicals in furniture and other pressed-wood products before you purchase them. Studies have also shown that coating furniture with polyurethane products, such as a varnish, can reduce formaldehyde emissions. Also, increasing ventilation and maintaining a moderate temperature and humidity inside may help.
If you’ve noticed headaches or nausea after having new carpet installed, it might be because of a chemical called 4-phenylcyclohexene, often found in new carpet.
Although 4-phenylcyclohexene has not been linked to any permanent health risks, there are several steps you can take to help avoid the discomfort that can come with exposure to the chemical. Start by asking your carpet retailer to unroll the carpet and air it out before it’s installed. Try not to be home while the carpet is being installed, and open windows, run air conditioners and turn on fans for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
For more information on toxic chemicals and how to reduce them in your home, visit the EPA online at www.epa.gov.
