How to Eliminate Chemical Toxins from Indoor Air

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that indoor air may be even more polluted than the air outside. You may be asking yourself, "How can this be?" Many of us envision our homes as our private, safe sanctuaries.

Even though our homes should represent this place of safety for us, more often than not, we are breathing in toxic, chemical-laden air inside our homes without realizing it.

This is due, in large part, to the high amount of toxic chemicals in the products we use, as well as our bad habits. High amounts of lead, tar, and radon are just a few examples of the toxic pollutants found in indoor air. This article will address some of the toxic dangers lurking in your home, as well as some methods you can take to reverse this indoor pollution problem.

Everyday Products Contribute to Indoor Pollution

Paul D. Blanc MD (2007) in his seminal book, "How Everyday Products Make People Sick," states that many illnesses, especially in children, can be attributed to the modern products we use in our households. Studies have shown extremely high levels of mercury in the blood-streams of many American families.

Blanc's research attempted to understand why families were showing such high levels of toxic exposure, when there was no identifiable mercury source around. He found that these high levels of mercury exposure were coming from the paint used on the indoor walls of their home. These paints contained particularly high amounts of toxic chemicals added to prevent the paint from mildewing.

The additive, phenyl mercuric acetate, is a type of mercury approved by the government for use in common house paint. By inhaling the paint in an enclosed indoor environment, the family members were poisoning themselves, as well as turning their "suburban house into an ideal exposure chamber, leading to mercury poisoning in the entire family."

Paint is only one common household substance that may be more hazardous than helpful. Blanc (2007) cites a few recent indoor toxins that are a "hypermodern concern." This includes toxins in our drinking water, asbestos particles in the walls and ceilings of our homes and at school, "sealed-building syndrome" and the chemicals of our endless stream of cleaning supplies and beauty products.

Due to the increased amount of chemicals in our indoor air, our bodies may be suffering from toxic overload. From the foods we eat, to the things we touch, to the air we breathe, toxic overload is causing our bodies to have to work extra-hard just to remain in a state of stasis. From gas additives to formaldehyde, everyday exposure to chemical air toxins may be one of the main factors in our increased likelihood to develop cancer, lung disease, allergies, respiratory problems and nervous system disorders.

Did You Know? Toxic chemicals in our indoor air may have concentrations of up to 100 times higher than outdoor air. This is because of the fact that our homes and business are created to be leak proof; meaning, toxins are sealed in and fresh air is sealed out! ¹ Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States. ² 35 million people in the U.S. have a type of chronic lung disease.³ Your furniture and clothing may be giving off toxic fumes! Millions of people are sensitive to the chemicals used in furniture, paint and in the flame retardant chemicals sprayed on couches, mattresses and clothing. 4

What Chemical Toxins are in the Air?

The average indoor air in the modern American household is home to a vast array of modern toxicants. Ironically, chemical toxins in the air come from the products we use to make our lives better. This includes glues, paints, furniture upholstery, plastic cases on stereos, iPods, cell phones and toys, synthetic fabrics, pesticides, fumigants, cleaning products, disinfectants, detergents, soaps, beauty products, perfumes, lotions, shampoos, lubricants and many others.

Each of these items release certain amounts of toxic pollutants. This is called the item's "out-gas." ⁵ In addition to the chemical products we use in everyday life, there are also biological toxicants in our air as well. This includes dust mites, pet dander, mold and mildew.

Shocking Facts About Indoor Air Pollution Many scientists and doctors are linking the dramatic rise in the number of children with asthma and learning disabilities such as ADD, ADHD and Autism, with an increased exposure in both the children, and their mothers, to high-chemical, highly toxic, common household cleaning products, chemical food additives and food coloring. 6 The U.S. is home to over 6.8 million accidental poisonings every year. 7 The average U.S. household consumes around 2.5 gallons of deadly chemicals and toxic products each year! 8 The EPA reports that common house cleaners contain toxins that increase the likelihood of cancer by three times. 9 One hundred fifty of the chemicals in cleaning products have been linked to allergic reactions, birth trauma and defects, cancer, as well as mental health disturbances. 10 Since the early 1970's, the incidence of cancer has continued to increase yearly. Babies and children are particularly vulnerable to the diseases related to toxic chemicals, with brain cancer up 40% since the 1980's. Many scientists correlate this fact to the exponential increase in toxic chemical use. 11

The Effects of "Recycling the Air"

The effects of these frightening statistics on indoor pollution are compounded by the fact that many businesses, schools, hotels, office buildings and transportation systems "recycle" the air within sealed buildings.

In this sense, a chemical pollutant, such as a cleaning product used to clean a school bathroom in the morning may, because of air recycling, end up being filtered into the breathing space of the children in the cafeteria by lunch time.

Chemical pollutants in these cleaning supplies can include such deadly toxins as ammonia and even arsenic. Through recycling the air, these chemicals are then introduced into clean air spaces. And these chemicals can have an incredibly devastating effect on the human body, especially in the lungs and respiratory system.

Online Resources for Air Purification

There are some many online resources available for helping you reduce the amount of indoor pollution in your home. Air purifiers with HEPA filter and UV & negative ion technologies work great for cleaning your air of pollutants.

Online Resources for All-Natural Cleaning Products

When we use chemical cleaning products we introduce many harmful chemicals into our living environment. These chemicals may actually increase your risk of developing allergies and contributes to chemicals in the air.

Online Resources for Organic Bedding

Hypoallergenic bedding helps cut down on the build-up of droppings from Dust Mites, a contributing factor to indoor air pollution. Another recomendation would be for you to use organic cotton pillow casings and mattress, if possible.

REFERENCES

1. http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Environmental_Toxins.shtml
2. www.lungusa.org
3. www.womenshealth.gov
4. http://www.anaturalhome.com/why-organic-furniture.php
5. http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Environmental_Toxins.shtml
6. http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Environmental_Toxins.shtml
7. The Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
8. Prosperity Without Pollution," Joel S. Hirschorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991
9. Environmental Protection Agency report in 1985
10. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2005
11. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2005
12. http://www.zone10.com/tech/NASA/Fyh.htm