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Environmentally Safe Homes - Air In Your HomeBelieve it or not, there's a number of ways the air in your home can become polluted. The effects of this pollution can vary from mild irritation to serious conditions. It's important to know the major causes of air pollution in the home. Radon Radon is a radioactive gas naturally produced by the decay of earth and rock. Normally, the gas just dissipates in the atmosphere without hurting anyone. It can become dangerous if it gets into ground water, or trapped in the ground floor of a building. In these conditions, the gas has no where to go and can build up over time. Breathing it can raise the risk of lung cancer in those who breath it. Test kits can be purchased by homeowners and usually require a few days or weeks of exposure to get an accurate reading. These kits then have to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Professional companies can be hired to come to provide tests either with standard kits or with continuous monitors. Hiring one of these companies can give you a much better idea of how the radon levels in your house vary from room to room, season to season and even hour to hour. It is important to check the credentials of anyone you hire to perform scientific testing in your home. Professional testers should have a valid photo ID issued by the EPA Radon Contractor Proficiency Program. The National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center offers radon information packages and coupons for test kits. You can reach their office by calling: 1-800-SOS-RADON You should also check with your state and local government and inquire about the availability of detection devices or services. Ozone You probably know that a layer of Ozone gas protects us from ultraviolet radiation. What you may not know is that it is a highly toxic gas if we breath it directly. Ozone is produced when electricity passes through the air. That means that lightning strikes and electrical equipment can both cause the gas to form. It can also be formed indirectly by automobiles and factories. Fortunately, Ozone has a very bad odor that we can smell that will alert us to its presence. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced by combustion. It is one of the most common pollutants in any home and can be produced by automobiles, wood burning stoves, gas furnaces, gas appliances and gas water heaters. If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, you may just feel sleepy and dizzy. Further exposure will make you feel sick, and can even cause death. Particles Particles of pollen, molds, dust and smoke can float through the air and cause irritation if they are inhaled. These particles are what cause allergies and can sometimes be very serious. Indoor air filters can help remove particles from the air you breath. These filters consist of a tight fabric or plastic mesh that traps the particles and keeps them from floating around your house. Your central heat and air unit already has a basic air filter ( you've probably had to replace it ) but the filters used commonly don't trap the very fine particles that might cause an allergic reaction. You can purchase an upgraded filter, or a separate unit with its own filter. A dedicated air filter unit that uses both the mechanical filters we have described and a chemical filter ( for gases and very fine particles ) will provide the best filtration. If you have a problem with allergies, you might already have a special air filter in place. If you suffer from allergies and don't have an air filter in your home, you should look into them. Organic Compounds and Chemicals Volatile organic compounds and similar chemicals can be produced by automobiles, manufacturing plants and even your household air freshener. Since VOC's are organic, they are absorbed into the blood stream making them potentially very dangerous. The rule of thumb for VOC's is: if you can smell it, it's probably not good for you. To avoid problems with VOC's, be sure to store any chemicals or volatile substances such as gasoline outside your home. If these are left inside, they will naturally evaporate and dangerous compounds can build up inside your home. Asbestos Asbestos is actually the name of a family of fibrous materials. Asbestos materials are prized for their fire-proof and insulating qualities. But, these materials can also cause dangerous air pollution leading to a condition known as "asbestosis." Asbestos was used as a common insulator in homes and buildings from the 1930's to the 1960's. Since then, the EPA has almost eliminated asbestos products for homes, but older houses may still contain the materials. If you are purchasing and older home, it is not unreasonable to ask for an asbestos inspection before signing the papers. If you own an older home that has not been checked, or would like to learn more, the Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a hotline for information regarding asbestos detection and management at 1-800-638-2772. Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide Although these are mainly outdoor pollutants, the EPA considers them to be three of the most important. These contaminants are mainly produced through combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline or other petroleum based products. They can enter the home from the outside or be generated inside by using gas stoves, or by older lead based paint. |
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