Your home could be making you sick. And if you live in a house with high toxin levels, it should not come as a surprise when you start getting homesick. According to the director of the environmental and occupational health center at Exeter Hospital, you can get sick in your home due to living in a contaminated building.
The symptoms vary depending on the level and period of exposure. Some signs of the ‘ sick building syndrome’ show 1-2 hours after entering the building. On the other hand, some symptoms may not be so apparent and may take years to manifest.
Frightening, right? Living in a home full of toxins is not suitable for your body, plants, and animals. And if you are wondering how to test for toxins in your home, we have an answer for you.
Common Toxins in Homes
The toxin concentration in indoor spaces can be higher than the toxins in outdoor air. Most of the toxins at home are from everyday household items. Furnishings used in many homes source their materials internationally. Therefore, materials from one country may have different standards.
Some products degrade with time, releasing harmful materials, which makes it very hard to live in a toxin-free environment. Some of the common toxins you can find in homes include:
- Volatile organic compounds– these chemicals vaporize very quickly and lead to gas pollution in homes. Their sources include new carpets, interior paints, plywood, new plastics, deodorants, shampoo, moth repellants, tobacco products, etc.
- Pesticides– herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides are common occurrences in foods. Other sources of these toxins include household pest control and lawn treatments.
- Fungi-mycotoxins, such as exposure to mold, can cause various health problems, from a simple rash to allergic reactions. Fungi develop in a damp area with temperature changes and are highly airborne.
- Phthalates and PVC– this group of toxins is many from plastic materials. So, plastic wraps, food storage containers, drapes, blow-up air mattresses, cosmetics, baby’s toys, etc.
- Dioxins– these are toxins produced as a result of incomplete combustion. If you have a fireplace and burn wood, coal, or oil, this is a risk. A small amount of dioxins is also found in cigarettes.
- Heavy metal– to conclude the list, heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic could contaminate your home. Some familiar sources of heavy metal poisoning include vaccines, preserved wood, building materials, lead paints, pesticides, and seafood.
How do toxins get into your home?
Even after going organic, you might think that your home is free from contamination. However, toxins have a funny way of sneaking into your home. From simple products like Tupperware to carpets, the paint you use, and the furnishing and fixtures in your home, there are countless ways you can introduce toxins into your home.
Even when you scrub, dust, and declutter your home, the products you use for cleaning are toxic. You could get toxins into your home through your food, clothes, water, furniture, decorations, etc.
Other ways you may introduce toxins into your home include:
- Through floorboards-radon could seep through the cracks on the floor into your living space
- Your new carpet – carpets release VOC such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde into your home
- Dry cleaning- the perchloroethylene used in dry cleaning is toxic
- Your mattress may contain flame retardant chemicals that are toxic
- The air freshener you use at home
- Dust
- Self-care products like nail polish, shaving cream, and baby wash containing formaldehyde
Signs that you have toxins in your indoor space
According to Robert McLellan of Exeter Hospital, there are two ways to determine if your indoor space has toxins.
- Sick-building syndrome
In this case, occupants of the building develop symptoms such as eye, throat, and nose irritation, a rash, and stuffiness. The symptoms are short-lived, and getting out of the building can reverse them. Although there is no text for these toxins, you will notice that the symptoms start showing 1-2 after entering the building.
- Building-associated illness
In this second case, the environmental hazards are not very apparent. The symptoms also take longer to develop and are fatal in most cases. A good example is an exposure to radon, which leads to cancer. There are objective tests used to diagnose these abnormalities.
How do you test for toxins in your home?
As you can probably already tell, activities and products that can introduce toxins into your home are numerous. Therefore, you should have a few tips on how to test for toxins in your home to reduce contamination exposure.
Some of the ways to test for toxins in your home include:
- Radon test- Radon is an odorless, colorless gas known for causing lung cancer. It seeps through cracks in your foundation. Usually, it is a by-product of the radioactive breakdown of uranium in the soil. Professionals can test for radon using, or you can use a radon tester, which you can get from your local hardware store. If the results are 4pCi/L or more, you are in grave danger.
- Test for asbestos– Asbestos is another horrid toxin to have at home. This flame retardant insulation is common in old houses. It is known for causing lung cancer. You can hire professionals to test for asbestos, or you can get an asbestos testing kit and do it yourself. You need to get a sample of what you suspect is asbestos and send it to a lab for analysis.
- Test for mold– mold is a common problem in homes that experience water damage, have leaky pipes and roofs, or flooded basements. If you want to test for mold, the best way is to use your senses. Check for black spots on the walls, especially in areas with leaks or high moisture content. Also, look out for a musty smell in your home.
Other toxins have different approaches to their testing, and you can consult with a professional for more insight.
Ways to reduce toxin exposure in homes
By now, you can tell that toxin get into your home quickly. So, reduce toxin exposure in your indoor living space; you can start by eliminating some of the causes. For instance, refraining from using plastic bottles and containers can reduce toxins.
Also, if you want to reduce exposure to pesticides, buying organic products or growing without the chemicals should do the trick.
If you are worried about the VOC toxins, vacuuming your home with a HEPA filter can reduce your exposure. Also, you can eliminate synthetic air fresheners and remodel and refurnish your home with materials containing less VOC and more.
Final Thoughts
While it sounds unavoidable to have toxins in your home, you can take measures to reduce your exposure and preserve your health. Changing out contaminants for greener solutions is one way. But to make your move, you should reach out to professionals who can guide you on how to test for toxins in your home.
Remember, toxins are dangerous to your body. So, if you do not want to cut your life short due to asbestos or radon exposure, talk to a professional today.
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