The environment in your home may be making you sick. Indoor air quality is often ignored. There are hundreds of factors that create indoor air pollution that may be affecting your health. It is impossible to remove ourselves from ALL toxic exposure but we can take small steps to clean our home environments and reduce our toxic exposure.
Especially in the winter when we spend more time indoors the health of our indoor air is especially important. Cases of carbon monoxide and radon poisoning inside homes increase during the winter. Here are a few of the most potential sources of dangerous toxins.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, are often found in our indoor air. VOCs have been linked to many health issues, including cancer and neurological problems. VOCs have many industrial uses and there are also naturally occurring VOCs in the air, water and soil, often these compounds find their way into our homes.
Benzene is a common solvent and is present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. Relatively low levels of chronic exposure causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances and diseases of the blood system, including anemia and bone marrow diseases.
Formaldehyde is in furniture and fixtures. The formaldehyde is the worst culprit in the home. It is identified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Formaldehyde is a colorless and flammable chemical used in many household products, building materials, furniture, and carpets. It is also found in "wrinkle-free" and preshrunk clothing. Fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves and kerosene heaters, are significant sources of formaldehyde. Since this toxic gas may be floating around in your home, it is essential to keep the home well ventilated, especially at night.
Two of the major sources of formaldehyde include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particleboard (pressed wood products) used in manufacturing of the office furniture. Other consumer paper products, which have been treated with UF resins, include grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. UF resins are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants and adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings and permanent-press clothes.
Formaldehyde is a highly reactive chemical, which combines with proteins in the body and can cause allergic contact dermatitis. It irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat with the most widely reported symptoms to include irritation of the eyes and headaches. Formaldehyde exposure may create asthma symptoms. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research has identified causation between formaldehyde exposure and a rare type of throat cancer in long-term occupants of mobile homes.
Cleaning products often contain ethylene based glycols and chlorine (bleach). The most dangerous chemicals are those found in floor cleaners, paints, plastics and synthetic fibers. The typical household has over three gallons of toxic cleaners in it.
According to the EPA, this water-soluble solvent (ethylene based glycols) is classified as a hazardous air pollutant. Bleach based cleaning products can react with other chemicals to create volatile chlorinated compounds, which can be deadly if inhaled. A European study (2008) found that breathing in chlorine-based compounds could "significantly increase the cancer risk."
The bug spray we spray in our homes contains chemicals that can affect the nervous system, endocrine system and hormone levels. Some insecticides may even be carcinogenic (cancer causing).
Dry cleaning chemicals contain PERC or percloroethylene. PERC has a distinct smell on dry cleaned clothes. PERC and several other dry cleaning byproducts like carbon tetrachloride are known liver carcinogens. Help protect yourself by removing the plastic wrap from your clothing and airing them out in the garage or outside for 24 hours before you wear them.
For those of us with indoor winter allergies to mold, dust and pet danger, indoor air quality is very important. These allergens and chemical compounds in the air make allergy symptoms worse and can trigger other respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) scientists in the 1980s examined common indoor houseplants as a way to promote clean air. They researched plants, which could serve as oxygen producing sources on long space flights. This benchmark research on plants and indoor air quality found certain plants were more effective than others at removing harmful compounds from the air.
Marc Hachadourian, plant scientist and a director at the New York Botanical Garden, tells us all plants through a photosynthetic process filter out carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Filtering pollutants and storing them is a byproduct of the plant’s life process.
NASA has developed a list of the best plants for absorbing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Research the plant species before you buy it and introduce it into your home as some species are toxic to animals.
Research has demonstrated plants lower stress levels of people working in office environments compared to where there are no plants. Studies also demonstrate getting outdoors in nature helps stress levels as well.
NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) findings, from a 2-year study, suggest plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but are useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings ---natural way of combating “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”. Sick Building Syndrome refers to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene that are often found in our indoor air. Formaldehyde is in furniture and fixtures.
Because living plants are extremely efficient at absorbing air contaminants in the, they have been launched into space as part of the biological life support systems and will likely be used on orbiting space stations.
Plant studies have revealed that Philodendron, Spider plant and the Golden Pothos plants are effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums are rated superior in removing benzene from the environment. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. Plant researcher, Wolverton has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors.
TOP 10 plants most effective in removing
Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air are:
Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
Chinese Evergreen – Aglaonema Modestum
English Ivy Hedera Helix
Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
Janet Craig – Dracaena “Janet Craig”
Marginata – Dracaena Marginata
Mass cane/Corn Plant – Dracaena Massangeana
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum
Warneckii – Dracaena “Warneckii”
Although plants can be of great help in eliminating airborne toxins, a highly sensitive person should avoid introducing these chemicals into your home at all. Start by eliminating toxic cleaning products. It can be as simple as purchasing "green" and non-toxic products at your local natural market. You can even make your own homemade cleaning products. For example vinegar and water is a great disinfectant and degreaser while baking soda sprinkled with clove oil can be used to scrub and disinfect your bathroom.
https://weather.com/health/allergy/news/best-plants-for-cleaner-indoor-air
http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/indoor-plants-combat-air-pollution
http://www.naturalnews.com/z036962_indoor_air_toxic_chemicals_cleaning_products.html
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