I thought about this one more time as I sprayed the tub with a bleach-based cleaning agent and took note of all the toxic cleaners I had for various tasks. I live in an area where black mold is a serious threat, so the monthly bleach treatment of wet spaces and the A/C pipes is a must.
Our area is also famous for airborne pollen and an annual event called "cedar fever," caused when a cold snap triggers the release of cedar pollen in clouds of reddish dust. Between that, elm, mold, livestock, auto exhaust and whatever else in our semi-rural environs, you'd think outdoor air quality, monitored diligently by our local meterologists, would be worse than in your home. Think again!
We recently had to replace our central heating and air system and I was horrified by the grungy condition of the old unit. Because the upstairs air intake is next to our daughter's room and across from the tall hall mirror where she liked to brush her hair, I would "swear" there was a whole head of her hair in that unit! Plus, over 25 years worth of dust bunnies, pet hair and who knows what else clogged the internal filters. I keep insisting that the air ducts should be cleaned, but the kid (very young person) who checked our system prior to its replacement said that was such an unnecessary task. What does he know - all you have to do is look at the dust around the vents to see that there's stuff being blown through by our nice, new, powerful unit.
Carpeting and furry pets do not mix. I read somewhere that over 85% of household dirt is tracked in by shoes and pets and it gets ground into the padding of the carpet. So, no matter how much you vacuum and steam clean, all you're doing is creating mud. What a thought!
Formaldehyde can also be found in carpeting. Remember that new carpet smell? It can also be found in paneling, cabinetry, upholstery and permanent press clothes.
This only scratches the surface of what causes indoor air pollution. The cleaners we use, our pets, improperly filtered vacuum cleaners, even the scents we use are among the daily contributors to poor ambient air quality. The other major contributor is poor ventilation. Proper ventilation allows air flow throughout the house, drying out moisture trapped in the attic and eaves and pushing out stale air while bringing in the fresh. But, how many of us will open the windows every day, especially if it's hot or very cold out?
I have a habit of opening windows every morning, regardless the temperature. This drives my husband crazy, but I can't stand stale air and am not fond of masking it with air sprays or candles. Inasmuch as I try to avoid daily use of toxic cleaners, opting for natural products as much as possible, mold, mildew and lime only respond to heavy duty agents.
I also have a habit of not making my bed first thing in the morning, turning the duvet down, instead, to air the linens. This dries the linens, thereby killing dust mites.
Using filters inside air vents, and changing them regularly, helps trap large particles traveling through the ducts. An electrostatic air cleaner working in tandem with your central air system also helps trap particles.
All the same, my house does literally make me sick. We've been slowly replacing the carpeting with wood and tile. One of these days, perhaps the cat will go live with his owner (my daughter). Between the carpeting, the vents and the household products, I'm one of millions suffering from chronic respiratory issues. Indoor air quality affects people with asthma, and might even lead to more serious health concerns. Black mold can kill - yikes!
The CDC has a list of resource and reports on air pollution and respiratory health, including indoor air quality issues: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/indoor_air.htm
For more on indoor and residential air pollutants: http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/indoorair/air.htm
Also see:
Indoor Pollution Control for Your Home:
http://www.home-air-care.com/
The Importance of Home Ventilation:
http://www.pure-indoor-air.com/
How have you dealt with issues in your home?
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Add a Comment5 Comments
I am very concerned after reading this. What is black mold? My throat has been hurting for 2 months with no other symptoms and all test results come back negative. We went on a get away this weekend and my throat didn't hurt. We got back and Munich throat started to hurt. The only thing I can think is mold. Our kitchen had some flooding and the wood on the bottom of the door along with a sideman panel of a cabinet were damaged. I didn't think anything of it. The wood just started to bubble and parts are turning a grayish color. If we get the damage fixed it will cost thousands of dollars. But that's ok bc there isn't a price on our health
January 8, 2017 - 7:42pmThis Comment
Hi I just moved from a house with toxic mold and now my master bdrm has woodplank paneling. Friends say its cedar and is mold resistant, but my throat hurts when I breathe in this room and I'm congested when I wake up. Trying NOT to imagine mold in the new place.... Does anyone know if this is true? All I can find online is exterior siding.....
May 6, 2009 - 4:39amThis Comment
I agree with DianeP that you might be allergic to cedar. When my DH and I were shopping for a house after moving out here, we walked through a newly constructed house (happens to be across the street from the one we eventually bought). As soon as we walked through the front door, my nose started itching and I had trouble breathing. Turns out, the hall closet and central columns were exposed cedar, to which I happen to be allergic.
You may have to bite the bullet and remove the paneling.
May 7, 2009 - 6:07pmThis Comment
Hi, Anon, and welcome to Empowher!
If your wood is red cedar, it probably is fungal-, mold- and insect-resistant. Red cedar grows in coastal forests and is even the wood often used in saunas and steam rooms.
However, if you're congested and your throat hurts, I wonder if you might be allergic to cedar?
Are these the same symptoms you had in your old house, or are they different?
Here's a very good page on mold and on how to find it if it's there:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/indoors/air/mold.htm
Does this help at all? Have you had any allergies before? If you take an antihistimine before bedtime (Benydryl, for instance), does it help?
May 7, 2009 - 8:32amThis Comment
I always thought the no shoes rule was part of being an Asian, lol! I have that rule in my house, although my darling groom seems to believe that he's exempt. Everyone else adheres, and we have a very obvious shoe bin in the entryway (a bit like a Japanese restaurant, lol!). The dog must re-enter the house through the mudroom.
All the same, it's frustrating how much there is to deal with, even now that I'm basically an empty-nester!
March 3, 2008 - 6:28pmThis Comment