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Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, the safe haven where you can hide from all the world’s problems. And as COVID-19 continues to blaze its path across the globe, we are retreating to our homes to find shelter from this storm.
But what if your home weren’t actually the fortress that you need it to be? What if, instead of protecting you, your home was making you, and those you love, sick? Unfortunately, it’s not so improbable. In fact, your home might be harming your health in more ways than one.
Take a Breath
When it comes to home health hazards, one of the biggest culprits is the air itself. And your air conditioning system might well take the greatest blame. Your AC doesn’t just circulate refreshingly cool air in the dog days of summer. It’s also likely circulating pollutants, from molds and other allergens to viruses and bacteria.
Studies show that the use of air conditioning in the workplace can increase ear, nose, and throat (ENT) appointments among employees by as much as 120%, and a 40% increase in overall illness.
But it’s not just your AC that could be contaminating your air. Mold, mildew, and other allergens can take up residence anywhere in your home. They’re especially good at infiltrating your home’s hidden spaces, such as basements, attics, crawlspaces, and the interiors of your walls.
There’s even a name for the physical symptoms you get from exposure to the “toxic” air caused by these pollutants. It’s called “sick home syndrome,” and it can cause everything from allergies and pneumonia to cognitive impairment and even depression.
In addition to molds and other common allergens, your home’s air might also be contaminated with gases, such as radon, and other airborne carcinogens. If your home was built between 1920 and 1978, for instance, it might have been insulated with asbestos, a leading cause of a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma.
Believe it or not, your plumbing might also be releasing harmful gases into the air. For example, if you find you have a drain that reeks of rotten eggs, that could be a sign that your plumbing is clogged, causing sulfur gases to be released from your pipes.
And not only is the smell deeply unpleasant, beyond certain levels, exposure to sewer gases can make you very sick, potentially causing eye irritation, respiratory distress, and even neurological symptoms.
Water Woes
If thinking about the hazards that might be lurking in the air you and your family breathe isn’t enough to creep you out, thinking about your water and plumbing system just might. If you get your water from a private well, it’s a good idea to test your water for bacteria, such as potentially life-threatening e.coli contamination.
And even if you’re tapped into a public water system, your water might still be vulnerable to a range of pollutants, from pesticides to lead.
This is especially true if you live in an older home with lead, brass, or chrome-plated pipes or faucets, or those made from galvanized iron, which may have been soldered with lead.
Contaminants such as bacteria and lead are something no one wants in their water, but there may be other substances in your water supply that aren’t quite so cut and dry. For instance, many public water systems fluoridate their water. The consensus is that fluoride in the water is not only safe but it also significantly improves oral health for children and adults alike. Opponents, however, point to a small but not insignificant number of studies that link fluoride to an increased risk of bone cancer.
House Proud?
As careful as you might be to protect the health and safety of the people you love, some of the very things you might be doing to make your home a haven might well be putting them–and you — at risk.
For example, many of the most common household cleaning products are made of powerful chemicals that can be dangerous, especially to children, pets, and vulnerable people. Even ordinary household bleach produces fumes that, when exposed to light or citrus compounds, releases particles that can induce asthma attacks or other respiratory distress in high-risk individuals.
The Takeaway
Home should be where the heart is, but it can also be where the harm is as well. Ensuring that your home is the safe, healthy, and nurturing environment you and your family deserve means everything. Your family could be breathing harmful contaminants from your home’s AC and plumbing systems. Your water supply may be polluted by bacteria or lead. Even the chemicals you use to clean and disinfect your home can trigger potentially dangerous respiratory reactions. But knowledge truly is power. And learning how to spot the risks is the first step to step to ending them.
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