|
|
|
Indoor Pollution & Allergies
Tips for keeping toxins from the air in your home: Don't smoke. Air out the house regularly, even in the winter (airtight homes are more susceptible to allergens, bacteria and viruses). Check plumbing and pipes, and fix all leaks (moisture can lead to mold, mildew and bacteria). Do painting and refinishing outside as much as possible, and choose paint that's low in VOC (volatile organic compounds). Have lots of plants (they help remove indoor pollutants and allergens); do be sure, however, to dust them regularly. Don't have carpets; they're a haven for dust mites and other allergens and pollutants. If you must have carpets, have wool instead of synthetic, and vacuum them often. Get air ducts cleaned and checked for leaks. Avoid gas-emitting materials (like plastic, rubber, polyester and vinyl) in your window shades, furniture and floors (they'll give off more gas when exposed to sunlight). Wash furniture, curtains, bedding, pillows and stuffed animals regularly. Avoid pets if they're a problem: If your children suffer from allergies to your animals, consider finding your pets another home. Forcing a child to suffer through preventable allergies can lead to long-term problems for your child -- including repeated ear infections, respiratory difficulties, and behavioral problems. Indoor health hazards in schools: Child magazine reports that nearly one in five schools in the USA have unsatisfactory air, and about half report at least one environmental hazard. Major hazards reported: Lead (peeling paint); Asbestos (still found in pipe coverings and other building materials); Toxic art supplies (all supplies used by children under 13 must comply with safety guidelines of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); Fungus and Mold (look for water stains); Dust (schools should avoid carpeting); Formaldehyde and other volatile compounds (released from new carpets and pressed wood). Household Products: Be alert to signs that your child is suffering from exposure to common household products such as carpet cleaners, bug sprays, lawn and garden chemicals, hair spray, perfume, cleaners or disinfectants. Every year, for example, children suffer potentially dangerous reactions to carpet cleaning products. Be alert to signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that each household have (in addition to smoke detectors) a carbon monoxide detector on each level. Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide over a long period of time can be just as harmful as high concentrations over a short period of time -- particularly to infants and children. Have all your gas appliances checked regularly. Other recommendations: 1) Don't run an automobile or other fueled engine in a garage. 2) If you have headaches, fatigue or nausea while driving, have the exhaust system checked. 3) Always use barbecue grills outside the house.
|
|
Safer Child, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with federal tax-exempt status. Please note: 1) External organizations listed herein do not necessarily endorse Safer Child positions, nor do we necessarily endorse theirs. We list them as a courtesy and aren't responsible for their accuracy, completeness or content. 2) We recommend you maintain a healthy skepticism when reviewing information on the Internet; it might appear to be reliable -- yet actually be false, misleading, incomplete, out-of-date and/or intentionally harmful. 3) There might be material on the Internet that you disagree with or find objectionable; preview all sites before viewing them with your child. 4) We are not responsible for external addresses/phone numbers changing without our knowledge. 5) The information and commentary on this site are not substitutes for professional advice from your doctor, lawyer, or mental health professional. 6) Requests for permission to republish, copy and/or distribute any material found on this Web site should be directed to Safer Child, Inc.
Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Safer Child, Inc. All rights reserved. |
