When people think of air pollution health hazards, they often think of coal smokestacks outside or riding behind a dirty truck on the highway. The constant sources of pollution in our own homes, the ones we bring in, often go undetected and unacknowledged. But they can be the most problematic.

Our homes should be a safe sanctuary from pollution.

Here are four main categories of indoor air pollution:

• Poisonous chemicals
• Combustion byproducts
• Naturally occurring hazards (including dust, mold, radon, etc.)
• Electromagnetic radiation

Let’s look at the first category… chemicals.

Sixty years after Rachel Carson’s monumental book Silent Spring, the world uses considerably more pesticides than it did before, for example.

Is there a connection between poisonous chemicals and health?

Yes.

Vapors released by materials at room temperature are termed volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That new car and new house smell that many are familiar with is largely due to the evaporation of VOCs released from materials into the air. Common sources of harmful VOCs in construction and buildings include: carpets and carpet pads, certain composite wood products, synthetic fabrics, glues and adhesives, solvents, paints, insulation, aerosols and biocides, cleaning products and perfumes. VOCs can be emitted from natural substances. Labels of “Zero VOC” on products do not actually guarantee that these products are zero or low-VOC. The labels simply mean that substances within do not fall under the category of EPA-regulated VOCs, a limited list.

Perfume is a common ingredient that contains VOCs. Due to various laws, the chemical components of perfume do not have to be disclosed to consumers, except under very specific circumstances. These chemicals can function as endocrine disruptors and poisons to the human body and other life forms.

VOCs impact human health and ecology. Numerous organ systems are affected. There are both short and long term health effects that we experience due to exposure to VOCs. A great number of VOCs are known carcinogens. Common exposure symptoms include: rashes, headaches, muscle and joint pain, memory loss, inability to concentrate, allergies, sinus infections, cough, anxiety and depression.

What are some basic steps to take to improve your indoor air quality now with regards to all of the categories listed above?

• MAKE informed choices about construction materials, furnishings, cleaning products and other purchases.
• PLAN your home for human and ecological health and wellbeing by prioritizing safe materials and products.
• PREVENT water damage and RESOLVE it quickly when it does occur.
• CLEAN carpets and surfaces thoroughly and regularly with natural, unscented products and HEPA vacuums.
• PROPERLY VENTILATE AND WELL-SEAL your combustion fuel sources.
• MAINTAIN your HVAC system. Use appropriate filters and change them regularly.
• ASSESS your building health, including indoor air quality and electromagnetic radiation, with trained and skilled professionals.

If you would like to test for a variety of unknown exposures related to VOCs and mold VOCs (MVOCs), I can work with you to perform an easy at-home indoor air quality test that can give a detailed report of levels of these types of indoor air pollutants. It includes online or phone consultation with me. This is ideal for testing in homes, offices and other enclosed spaces you spend a lot of time.

This can be ideal if you:

• experience allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, fatigue or immunocompromised individuals;
• are health-conscious or prevention-oriented;
• plan to or have recently remodeled;
• have pets or children or are looking to expand your family.

Testing of this sort is just one piece of the puzzle to help you determine what in your environment could be impacting your health and vitality. Building design and consumer purchases, choices and practices are so important in maintaining the health of our buildings and our bodies.