Healthier Homes
Have a Healthier Home
Here are the facts:
- Many consumer products used in homes contain toxic ingredients.
- We spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors.
- the air inside homes can be more polluted than air outside.
- studies of children and adults detect more than 200 chemicals in their bloodstreams.
Become aware of unhealthy exposures in the
home and select consumer products that do not add toxic chemicals to indoor air.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- VOCs are found in many household products such as paints, cleansers, engineered wood furniture, carpets, and hobby supplies.
- VOCs vary in their health effects from irritation to eyes, nose and throat; damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system; to cancer.
Better Choices
Reduce household exposures to VOCs
Look for safer alternatives and choose environmentally friendly products. If you must use products with VOCs, open windows and buy and use only the amount of product you need. Dispose of any unused product as directed.
Use Natural Air Fresheners
Substitute natural fragrant flowers and spices for chemical-based air fresheners that may contain phthalates and other toxins. Dried lavender, eucalyptus, orange peels and ginger placed around your home will help freshen the air naturally.
Eliminate Mold
Mold thrives in moist environments and may cause allergies, asthma and other lung-related health effects. Prevent mold by eliminating moisture:
- Fix leaks
- Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours.
- Reduce indoor humidity by:
- venting bathrooms, dryers, and other
- moisture-generating sources to the outside
- using air conditioners and de-humidifiers in
- humid areas
- opening windows to increase ventilation
Get More Information:
United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/region1/healthyhomes/
Most people spend over 90% of their time indoors. Your home is a very important environment where you and your family may spend much of your time. This brochure offers ways to make your home a healthy place. It includes information on indoor and outdoor air quality, pesticides, toxic household products, mold, tobacco smoke, radon, drinking water contaminants and making your home “green”.
Contact the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (ceoinfo@upmc.edu) for updated information and evidence-based resources.